A local nonprofit is receiving a boost.

The Tamaqua Public Library announced last week that it received a $5,000 grant from the PPL Foundation, which will help maintain and enhance its inventory and programs.

“It was used for our Summer Quest program,” said Gail Heath, director of the library. “It bought a lot of new books for the library and also purchased craft items that we use over the summer for the kids. It bought at least one professional development book on how to use STEM, and paid for the professional storyteller to come last Monday, called Science Tellers. They mix storytelling with science.”

In fact, more than $1,000 worth of quality literature was purchased. A portion of the grant also aided in marketing efforts for the library.

The Summer Quest program is a six-week reading program for children of the Tamaqua community, ages 0-19. The programs are focused on STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art and Math). According to a news release, the library’s “current budget did not allow for the expansion of the summer reading program curriculum to focus on the important elements of STREAM. The additional monetary resources provided by the PPL Foundation allowed for the developmental impetus for this critically important aspect of the summer quest programs.”

“The PPL foundation has a yearly grant,” Heath said. “It has to be submitted before March 15. We heard that we had won it in early June. The PPL foundation has several other grants that you can apply for throughout the year, and they also have a large grant program for bigger things.”

The summer program culminated on Monday with many children in attendance. However, there are plenty of other opportunities the community can take advantage of over the course of the year, as the library offers many educational programs year-round.

“We have three programs through the year for the 0-5 group to really advocate for early-child literacy,” said Heath. “It starts in September and runs for eight consecutive weeks. In the spring, we also have a spring story time, which runs for 10 consecutive weeks.”

The Tamaqua Public Library’s annual fund drive is kicking off in the near future. The library is located at 30 S. Railroad St., Tamaqua.