The Student News Site of Westborough High School

The Lobby Observer

The Student News Site of Westborough High School

The Lobby Observer

The Student News Site of Westborough High School

The Lobby Observer

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WHS Library Awarded $5000 Grant

PRESS RELEASE:

Westborough High School Library was recently awarded a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant for $5000 from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC). “We’re excited about the innovative local library projects being developed with the help of these grants,” said Cindy Roach, Head of Library Advisory and Development at the MBLC. They benefit local residents and communities.”

A recent survey of Metrowest adolescents revealed an increasing trend of mental health issues among teens in Westborough. As the Westborough High School library is considered the heart of the school and is busy from opening to closing, the library is using an Innovative LSTA grant from the MBLC to bring mental health and wellness resources to the forefront for freshman health classes, as well as senior psychology and literature students. Anita Cellucci, the WHS Librarian Educator who wrote the grant says,  “As early treatment offers the best results for recovery, it is imperative to provide educational programming that will bring knowledge, awareness, and empathy to the issue.”  The project includes collaboration with town departments such as the Public Library and Youth and Family Services. Students will participate in programs such as yoga, mindfulness, a writing marathon, and slam poetry.

A kickoff event presented by National Alliance of Mental Illness will help to raise awareness, battle stigma and empower students. “My hope is that with this grant, an outcome will also be an ease in conversation with others regarding students personal mental health or that of a friend, the ability to speak up about concerns and a lessening of the stigma and bias that is associated with mental illness,” remarks Cellucci.

In addition to the direct library grant program, the MBLC uses LSTA funds to support statewide programs and services, including summer reading programs, databases, the Commonwealth eBook program, the Commonwealth Catalog (the new virtual catalog), and mass.gov/libraries which provides information and resources for residents. LSTA is administered on the federal level by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and in the Commonwealth by the MBLC.  More information about LSTA can be found at http://mblc.state.ma.us/

 

 

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