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 First Federal Charitable Foundation grant to establish a video game service as a way to find something of interest for teens at its facility. It used the grant to purchase several video game systems, gaming equipment and games and began providing tournaments and a safe environment and outlet for gaming.
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 of the teens developed into mentors and used their leadership and guidance skills to help other novice players. Many of the teens became more socialized and developed friendships.
The library will use the new grant funding to keep pace with technological developments and be able to offer tournaments that meet public expectations. It plans to purchase a PlayStation 5 gaming system, two additional gaming controllers, a controller charging station, a portable projection screen with a stand, and 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's Center for Special Learning and provide more services to their special needs students.
Jean Ann Towle, Executive Director of the Pottsville Free Public Library and District Center, said, “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. 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 located 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