NASDAQ Grant to Aid
New York Public Libraries
The NASDAQ Disaster Relief Fund, established by employees, families, friends, and companies listed on the NASDAQ exchange to provide services to people directly affected by the September 11 terrorist attacks, has awarded the New York Public Library a $1-million grant. NASAQ Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Hardwick Simmons made the announcement at market close on the one-year anniversary of the event.
Part of a $3-million donation to eight New York City organizations, the NYPL grant will be used for comforting programs for children, grief programs for adults, writing workshops for teenagers and adults, job information and financial education programs for adults, and purchases of materials related to health-information resources. The two branches closest to the World Trade Center site—New Amsterdam and Chatham Square—will be the primary beneficiaries of the contribution. They will add collections, provide programming, and create a wireless technology-training environment that will include career, health, and computer-training classes.
“While attendance suffered greatly at nearly all New York City venues in the days, weeks, and months following the World Trade Center attacks, the exact opposite happened at NYPL,” said Director of the NYPL Branch Libraries Mary K. Conwell. “Since September 11, library circulation is up 12% and attendance is up 19%.”
“At a time when the New York Public Library is facing reduced public funding, delivery of essential services becomes ever more challenging,” NYPL President Paul LeClerc said.
Posted September 23, 2002.
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