Farrell schools receive $200K to improve library

By Denise Dick

Staff report

Farrell

Photo

Rep. Jason Altmire, D- Pa. (AP/Gene J. Puskar)

U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire of McCandless, D-4th, presented the Farrell Area School District with $200,000 to improve its high school library.

Altmire secured the money as part of the Fiscal Year 2010 federal appropriations process. As a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, Altmire has made improving Western Pennsylvania’s schools one of his top priorities.

“When I visited this library last year, I saw firsthand that there was a great need for new books and technology,” he said. “With this funding, FASD will be able to buy books and computers that can help students develop the skills they need to succeed in school and in the workforce. By making it possible for the library to extend its hours, this funding will also help to ensure that the entire community can benefit from these improved resources.”

The school library is undergoing renovations and is expected to reopen in October. With the funding, the library will be able to improve its literacy curriculum by buying a dozen new computers and new books, implementing a purchase management system to keep track of the library’s collection and hiring a library aide.

To help the greater Farrell community, the Farrell Area High School also hopes to implement a service-learning program through which students will provide free computer training to the public.