A library on Buffalo's east side is re-opening today after a summer full of renovations. The Westminster Community Charter School Library will have a ribbon cutting today to mark the completion of the half million dollar project.
Reporter: A library on Buffalo's east side is re-opening today after a summer full of renovations. The Westminster Community Charter School Library will have a ribbon cutting today to mark the completion of the half million dollar project. Joshua Robinson joins us from outside the completed library with the latest. Good morning Joshua.
Joshua Robinson: A half- million dollars for an 80 year old structure here at the Dr. Yvonne Minor-Ragan Library, not only to renovate the library, but to create new, modern programs for children and their parents. As you can see the lights are still on, they’ve been on for a while getting this library ready. That includes 24 new computers and specific training programs for library staff, to not only serve students, but their parents as well. You may remember, this isn't the first time we’ve covered a story about Westminster Community Charter School pushing literacy and reading programs. I spoke with Glenn Jackson, the COO with Buffalo Promise Neighborhood in partnership with M&T Bank, and he took me through the library as crews were putting the final touches on the renovations. And he says having grown up in the area himself, Jackson says these renovations satisfy an obvious need in promoting education and literacy at every level.
Glenn Jackson: When you think about it, we'll have students working here in a traditional sense library, all the books, we bought books as well. This sort of modernistic thing about computers and technology that go with it, and side by side we'll have parents that are getting coached up around career and financial stability as well.
Joshua Robinson: Jackson also talks about how this is a community that has been historically underserved, so today's unveiling of the new library marks a huge day for the Westminster Community Charter School. In fact this road is expected to be blocked off for the big unveiling this afternoon at 3-pm. and along with today's library announcement, Jackson says plans were announced seven weeks ago for a new pre-school in this community as well. He says it's the community's responsibility to make sure resources are available for students and their parents at every level.
Buffalo Promise Neighborhood is a long-term collaboration between M&T Bank and its community to empower schools, students, and families. We understand that learning and opportunity are intrinsically connected, and that success is most meaningful when its shared by everyone.