Nov. 19—The Pottsville Free Public Library and District Center received a $2,000 First Federal Charitable Foundation grant to purchase a PlayStation 5 gaming system and other equipment it will use to offer video game tournaments for teenagers and specialized services for students with special needs.
In 2017, the library used a foundation grant to establish a video game service to find something of interest for teens at its facility. It bought several video game systems, gaming equipment and games and began providing tournaments in a safe environment.
The tournaments have brought together teens and their families for some friendly competition and have had a positive impact for the library. As a result of participating in the tournaments, some teens developed into mentors and used their leadership and guidance skills to help novice players. Many teens became more social and developed friendships.
The library will use the new grant funding to keep pace with technological developments and to offer tournaments that meet public expectations. It plans to purchase a PS5, two additional gaming controllers, a controller charging station, a portable projection screen with a stand, tournament video games and additional video game titles. It also plans to purchase two adaptive gaming controllers for teens who are physically handicapped. Adaptive controllers would allow the library to develop a partnership with the St. Joseph Center for Special Learning in Pottsville and provide more services to their special-needs students.
“The Pottsville Free Public Library and District Center has been a community resource since 1911. We provide quality information resources and services to educate, entertain, enrich and strengthen our diverse community of individuals across Schuylkill County and parts of Northumberland County,” Jean Ann Towle, Pottsville library and district center executive director, said in a press release. “The library continues to be a safe environment for learning and entertainment. Our board and staff strive to meet the needs of our patrons by offering programs, services and materials that are both educational and for entertainment.”
The First Federal Charitable Foundation was established to support worthwhile community causes. It strives to nurture nonprofit institutions and programs that will effectively serve those in need from the community, empower nonprofit institutions and programs that will expand their presence in and services to the area and promote opportunities for new nonprofit institutions and programs that will serve the unserved.
Nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)(3) IRS designation in Luzerne, Schuylkill, Carbon and Columbia counties are eligible to apply. Any organization whose headquarters is in another county but services either Luzerne, Schuylkill, Carbon or Columbia counties may apply for a grant to be used in one of those counties. For more information on the foundation or to obtain a grant application, visit www.1stfederalcharitable.org or email megankennedy7169@gmail.com.
