By Staff
April 21, 2002
The Riley Foundation sent a stimulating message to our community last week with announcement of its $100,000 contribution to the Meridian/Lauderdale County Public Library. This grant will be used to purchase audio books, perhaps as many as 8,000. That's 8,000 new opportunities for people with visual disabilities or people who just like to listen to audio books to learn.
Members of the foundation presented library director Steve McCartney the check during a news conference at the library in downtown Meridian.
The grant is the second the Riley Foundation has awarded the library in the past two years. In 2000, the library used a $150,000 grant to purchase 10,000 new non-fiction books.
Dr. Richard Riley of the Riley Foundation said the latest grant is special to him because he suffers from a visual disability and can't read books. "This will help people like myself be able to enjoy books," he said.
While, unfortunately, libraries are not always at the top of everyone's contribution list, the Riley Foundation has again demonstrated a solid commitment to the cause of learning. Libraries are treasure troves of information and the Riley Foundation deserves our thanks for further enriching life in this community.