CRANSTON, RI Cranston residents will have improved access to books, research materials, and community programs and classes as U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today announced that the Cranston Public Library will receive over $544,500 to create a new public library in the Arlington section of Cranston. Reed worked with his Senate colleagues to secure federal funding for the project in fiscal year 2006.This is great news for Cranston and the Arlington neighborhood, said Reed. Libraries are an important resource for everyone. This new branch will allow members of the Arlington community to participate in a wide variety of educational and occupational pursuits.Federal funding will be used for interior and exterior renovations at the former St. Bartholomews Church, which will be used to house the new Arlington branch. In addition, the library will use the funding to update and purchase new computers. David Macksam, Director of the Cranston Public Library stated, This is a win-win opportunity for the community to see a historic building go to good use while offering 21st century library services.The Arlington neighborhood in Cranston has the second highest number of families below the federal poverty line in the city. The new Arlington branch will be located near four public schools, including Gladstone School which has the highest number of Limited English Proficient (LEP) students in the district. It is essential that children are exposed to books at an early age, stated Reed. This new library will give young people in the community access to a wide-variety of books and allow them to receive the attention and help they need to improve their reading skills and develop a lifelong interest in books.The library will provide services to preschool and elementary school-age children as well as teens. In addition, a Program/Community Room will be established to conduct preschool story hours, homework help, book discussion groups, adult programming, and public meetings. The Rhode Island Family Literacy Program will also establish a program to provide literacy and citizenship classes. Reed was the principle author of the Museum and Library Service Act Amendments which became law in 2003. This law updates museum and library programs to meet the future needs of citizens and doubled the minimum state allotment under the Library Services and Technology Act to enable smaller states like Rhode Island to benefit and implement library services and programs.Funding for the project was included in the Fiscal Year 2006 Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, the District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies Appropriations bill as an Economic Development Initiative Special Project.