Joseph P. Gresko

Stratford delegation and I celebrated as we collectively delivered $25,000 to the Stratford Library on Wednesday. I personally delivered the check during a ceremony, emphasizing the importance of the library as a cornerstone for learning, community engagement, and access to information. The Connecticut General Assembly approved the funding in the bipartisan spending stabilization plan that passed during this year’s legislative session.

Stratford Library will allocate the state funds to reorganizing the Teen Services area with new furniture. The library hopes to create a welcoming environment after Stratford middle and high school students struggled with social and emotional deficiencies resulting from pandemic related social isolation and school disruptions.

The executive director of the Stratford Library Association said the library will also sub grant $5,000 to the Stratford Education Foundation in support of the Stratford affiliate of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting books, free of charge to children from birth to age 5.

After the challenges of the pandemic, it’s more important than ever for children and teens to feel a sense of security at Stratford Library. This funding will encourage our youth to take advantage of the library’s resources and ensures they have access to programs they need to continue learning, growing, and reconnecting with the joy of discovery. The delegation's commitment to supporting such initiatives reflects their dedication to enhancing local resources and fostering a vibrant community environment.