SAN BERNARDINO >> The Friends of the San Bernardino Public Library (SBPL) received a $40,000 donation from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians to purchase library books for the four branches of the San Bernardino Public Library. “On behalf of the SBPL Library Board of Trustees and city, I would like to thank the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians for their great generosity in providing funding for library books for all ages to promote education and early literacy for children in our city through this grant,” said Library Director Ed Erjavek. “This is a great example of San Manuel contributing to the library and the residents of our city in its time of need and we’re grateful to the Tribe for the donation.” Faun White, a program officer from the Community Outreach Department of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, presented a symbolic check for $40,000 to Erjavek and President Rex Davis of the Friends of the San Bernardino Public Library. “It’s also especially timely to receive $40,000 for library books as SBPL is supporting the county’s Vision2Read effort, a program promoting reading and literacy in communities throughout the county, as endorsed by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors chaired by James Ramos,” Erjavek said. The library plans to purchase books for readers of all ages in various genres and subjects, including some in Spanish. Children’s books highlighting contributions of Native Americans will also be purchased. The Friends of the San Bernardino Public Library and San Bernardino City Library Foundation have each also contributed $20,000 to supplement the library’s book budget. Information about SBPL including its four locations, hours and resources available electronically is on the library’s website at www.sbpl.org or at 909-381-8201. You can also follow the library including its various programs on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/sbcitylib.

San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Recognize the Importance of Reading