Wiscasset Public Library’s Children’s Room has received a wonderful gift of 100 children’s books. The books were donated by the Brownstone Book Fund, a private foundation based in New York City, according to Children’s Librarian Laurie Ridgway.

The library was chosen due to a lucky encounter for WPL patron Linda Belmont. You may know Belmont for her volunteer work at Wiscasset Elementary School. She is a longtime advocate for early childhood literacy. While traveling last year, she had the good fortune to meet Diane Brownstone, who very generously offered to provide books to our local library.

The fund fosters a love of reading and books in children, and encourages children and parents to read together. The fund, founded in 1997 by Clyde and Diane Brownstone, donates 100 books to 100 libraries across the country each year.

The donation consists of high quality, library-bound hardcover books for pre-kindergarten through early readers. There are a number of classics such as “Eloise,” “The Snowy Day” and “Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel,” and current favorites such as “Dewey: There’s a Cat in the Library,” “Duck on a Tractor” and “My Grandfather’s Coat.” Stop by and check them out.