[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 51 (Tuesday, April 16, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2658-S2660]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            LIBRARY PROJECT

  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, Baltimore, like many other major cities, 
has struggled to educate its children. Recent statistics indicate that 
the number of third graders reading below grade level in Baltimore is 
double the State average. This is especially troubling in light of the 
numerous national studies showing that for every six students who are 
not reading proficiently by third grade, one will not graduate.
  Across the United States, research has shown that students in schools 
with good school libraries learn more, get better grades, and score 
higher on standardized tests than their peers in schools without 
libraries.
  We have a program, the qualified zone academy bonds, that is 
available to help school districts in areas such as improving their 
libraries. Since 2001 Baltimore City has used those funds. Recently we 
extended the program through 2013. Academy bonds are important, but 
much more needs to be done to help our students.
  Let me share with my colleagues a wonderful initiative, the Baltimore 
Elementary and Middle School Library Project, which is leveraging 
academy bonds and bringing in additional partners to maximize the 
resources available for hard-pressed schools and students. The Harry 
and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation is spearheading this initiative. The 
Weinberg Foundation is one of the largest private charitable 
foundations in the United States. The Weinberg Foundation provides 
approximately $100 million each year to nonprofits that provide direct 
services to low-income and vulnerable individuals and families, 
primarily in the United States and Israel. Since 1990 the foundation 
has made grants totaling $1.6 billion--that is billion with a ``b.''
  The foundation was created by Harry Weinberg. His family emigrated 
from Eastern Europe to the United States in 1911. Harry Weinberg began 
his life in poverty, but he eventually built a transportation empire 
which extended into real estate. The fortune Harry Weinberg amassed now 
has grown to more than $2 billion. These are the assets behind the 
Weinberg Foundation's grant-making.
  Senator Mikulski and I are very proud that the Weinberg Foundation is 
based in our Baltimore City. I knew Harry Weinberg. I know the Weinberg 
family. I am very fortunate to have that relationship. The foundation 
has helped so many people, particularly in affordable housing, 
immigrant services, poverty issues, and humanitarian needs.
  I would like to acknowledge the role my former State director, Bailey 
Fine, has played with the Weinberg Foundation.
  I could list dozens of major charitable projects and initiatives that 
bear the name of the Weinberg Foundation, including a $10-million grant 
to fund emergency services for Holocaust survivors in North America; a 
$9.6 million commitment to make Maryland a model for care of lower 
income, older adults; a $3 million investment in affordable housing for 
persons with disabilities, which includes a joint venture with the 
State of Maryland--the

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first of its kind in the Nation. The Weinberg Foundation also has 
stepped up in times of global crisis, providing millions of dollars of 
relief grants in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy and emergency 
funding for humanitarian efforts following the Haiti earthquake in 2010 
and the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004.
  In 2011 the Weinberg Foundation joined forces with a group of 
innovative and committed individuals to initiate a simple vision: 
transform Baltimore City school libraries to create larger, lasting 
change by increasing literacy rates and inspiring students. Words such 
as ``partnership'' and ``collaboration'' are often overused, but these 
concepts are central to the library project, a real-world demonstration 
of the power of combining resources directed toward a common goal.
  To date, with the help of more than 30 government, nongovernment, and 
community partners and individuals, many who have traveled to 
Washington today, the library project has gone far beyond a simple 
makeover by creating completely transformed, well-designed, well-
equipped spaces that send a simple but powerful message to young 
students in Baltimore City: They deserve the best. The Weinberg 
Foundation and its partners believe this manuscript for meaningful 
change can be applied to any city where people from nonprofits and 
public and private entities are willing to focus on a plan and then 
roll up their sleeves to make it happen.
  The first of these refurbished libraries was dedicated in the fall of 
2012. I was privileged to be able to visit and see firsthand how 
impressive this refurbished library is. Three more are scheduled to 
open this fall, with a total of 12 planned through 2015. The Weinberg 
Foundation has supported 30 percent of the capital project cost, is 
providing 4 years of additional staff support and professional 
development funds for the library. The Weinberg Foundation's support 
also goes to fund new books, up to 4,000 per space. Overall, the 
foundation has made a $5 million, 4-year commitment to this initiative, 
and the children of Baltimore will benefit.
  Each transformed library features thousands of new books and the 
latest in learning technology, including new computers and e-readers. 
As you can see from the photo I have brought to the floor, these are 
very impressive spaces and really go a long way to making them friendly 
places for students.
  In addition to the direct educational benefits of these new spaces, 
one of the goals of the library project is to help each transformed 
library become a hub for greater school community. Because the Weinberg 
Foundation wants this project to be a successful model for years to 
come, it has partnered with the Baltimore Education Research Consortium 
to evaluate the impact of this space within the school community. 
Evaluations are underway at the first three libraries and involve 
students, teachers, and community members.
  In addition to supplying books as part of each renovation, the 
Weinberg Foundation and its partners wanted to do even more to equip 
these new spaces with the gift and adventure of reading. As part of the 
first year of the library project, the foundation launched a huge book 
drive with more than 40 partners and 100 pickup locations. It was clear 
that my fellow Marylanders were eager to contribute directly to this 
project, donating some 13,000 books valued at over $75,000.
  I share the story with my colleagues and the rest of the country 
because, just like a favorite book, it should be shared. The library 
project goes beyond funding, blueprints, bright new designs, and even 
state-of-the-art learning technologies. These libraries will improve 
reading and learning opportunities for countless children, helping to 
break the grinding cycle of poverty by providing young people with the 
hope and the tools for success in life.
  As I said, this is a story that needs to be shared. The devoted 
officers and staff of the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation and 
all the other participants in the library project would welcome the 
opportunity to tell this marvelous tale over and over and see it 
duplicated across the country.
  Time constraints prevent me from talking about all of the partners in 
the library project. I mentioned the Federal partners, and I have 
highlighted the Weinberg Foundation's lead role, but everyone involved 
deserves recognition and our heartfelt thanks.
  I ask unanimous consent that the list of the other partners and the 
descriptions of their contributions be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:


                         Federal/State Funding

       In 2001, Baltimore City Public Schools began applying for 
     Qualified Zone Academy Bond (QZAB) funds that are used for 
     the renovation of public school libraries. The QZAB funds 
     renovate the physical space at each location and ensure 
     proper configuration, environmental abatement, quality air 
     control, lighting, and flooring for a few approved libraries 
     each year. To qualify for QZAB funds, the school must be 
     located in either an Empowerment Zone or Enterprise Community 
     with 35% or more of its students eligible for the free or 
     reduced price meal program.
       As of 2011, 53 City School libraries have been renovated 
     with $14.2 million in QZAB funds and with more than $2.5 
     million of donated in-kind volunteer hours. City Schools have 
     also contributed an additional $8.5 million for 
     architectural/mechanical work, construction costs and 
     furniture. The Baltimore Elementary and Middle School Library 
     Project has leveraged these funds and brought in additional 
     partners to maximize additional resources for schools and 
     students.


                     Baltimore City Public Schools

       As a partner in the Library Project, the district is 
     providing guidance and academic and facilities support in the 
     creation of new and newly renovated school libraries that 
     will contribute to 21st-century learning and position 
     students for success.


                       Annie E. Casey Foundation

       Advisory Committee Member.


                            Art with a Heart

       For the Library Project, Art with a Heart will work with 
     volunteers to create a mosaic for each of the three schools. 
     All of the mosaics will incorporate the Library Project logo, 
     however, each mosaic will be personalized to reflect the 
     individual school community.


               Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers

       ABAG will publicize the library effort to ABAG members, 
     particularly the Education Funders Affinity Group, through 
     ABAG's monthly Members' Memo, website, and social media. ABAG 
     will write a Daily Record article, and will be helpful in 
     other ways identified over the life of the initiative.


                     Baltimore Community Foundation

       The Baltimore Community Foundation encourages its donors to 
     participate in the Library Project, which fits into BCF's 
     overall vision for successful schools and successful 
     students. The Library Project is a prime example of how a 
     foundation can attract private sector partners to address a 
     public need, inviting businesses and individuals to find ways 
     to join together in promising Baltimore's youth a brighter 
     future.


            Baltimore Education Research Constortium (BERC)

       In relation to the Baltimore Library Project, BERC will 
     examine the change experienced at the first three library 
     openings at Moravia Park Elementary, Southwest Baltimore 
     Charter, and Thomas Johnson Elementary/Middle School.


                            Baltimore Reads

       Baltimore Reads assures that teachers have classroom 
     libraries and that students receive books that they may take 
     home. The Library Project complements the work of the 
     Baltimore Reads' Book Bank, which collects and redistributes 
     children's books all over the Baltimore region at no cost to 
     recipients.


                             Baltimore Sun

       The Baltimore Sun commitment at this time will be to 
     deliver 25 papers each day (M-F) to each of the first six 
     schools. The value of the papers for a year at full retail 
     price is $11,700, a total of $70,200 for all six schools!


                            Barnes and Noble

       Barnes and Noble will provide 400 Nook digital devices and 
     Certified Pre-Owned Nook digital devices, at special 
     discounted prices for this project. Barnes and Noble will 
     donate up to 20 hours of student and teacher training per 
     month to ensure that every user is comfortable with the 
     technology.


                        Bogdan Computer Services

       Bogdan Computer Services was responsible for the design and 
     implementation of the Baltimore Library Project website. Its 
     staff has also been a tremendous asset in technology 
     purchases and book drive donations.


                                Comcast

       Previously Comcast has offered in-studio and on location 
     filming and interviews which will be aired on CNN Headline 
     News. This sponsorship package was valued at nearly $100,000. 
     Comcast will continue to review additional ways to sponsor 
     the Library Project.


                              CPS Gumpert

       Partners in the Weinberg Library Project through the 
     graphic design and printing of event signage, promotional 
     products, and

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     printed materials. We look forward to participating in the 
     program as it continues to grow.


                               DLA Piper

       Financial donation.


                       Dyslexia Tutoring Program

       The mission of The Dyslexia Tutoring Program is to provide 
     free screening and remedial tutoring for low-income adults 
     and children throughout Maryland with dyslexia and other 
     language based learning differences. Volunteers take a free 
     20-hr training course in preparation for tutoring. The 
     program works to achieve the following: (1) Train teachers in 
     Orton-Gillingham, a proven method of teaching reading, 
     writing and spelling; (2) Tutor students that are accepted 
     into our program by providing free tutoring; (3) Provide In-
     Service Workshops to school staff to help identify potential 
     students.


                        Enoch Pratt Free Library

       The Enoch Pratt Free Library will be a major partner in the 
     library project. Each elementary school library will include 
     an ``Enoch Pratt Parent Corner'' with a computer connecting 
     parents to the Enoch Pratt system. In addition, each library 
     will have a permanent loan collection on parenting books and 
     other appropriate adult literature. Enoch Pratt will also 
     provide four Family Reading Circle programs during the school 
     year. This six-week program brings a library professional to 
     the school, with high-quality books and dinner for the group. 
     Enoch Pratt will also provide limited funding for students to 
     take public transportation from their homes or from school to 
     the closest Pratt Library. Finally, Enoch Pratt Free Library 
     will host students from each school for field trips to the 
     central library each year. The estimated value of this 
     partnership is $20,000 per library, or $80,000 for the first 
     four libraries.


                    Fund for Educational Excellence

       The Fund for Educational Excellence has worked side by side 
     with Baltimore City Public Schools for over 25 years securing 
     the financial, human, and knowledge resources necessary to 
     support policy and practice resulting in increased student 
     achievement for Baltimore City Public School students. On 
     this project the Fund serves as the fiscal agent working as 
     an intermediary between City Schools and the Harry and 
     Jeanette Weinberg Foundation to ensure all grant dollars are 
     allocated to the project appropriately.


                      Heart of America Foundation

       HOA will coordinate the purchasing, sorting, cataloging and 
     delivery of brand new library books for each school. In 
     addition, to address the fact that as many as 61 percent of 
     children from low income families do not have any books in 
     the home, HOA will provide three books per student for his or 
     her home library. This year, HOA will deliver more than 9,800 
     library books in total and over 4,800 take home books for the 
     students for this project.


                            Incite Creative

       The firm's focus group facilitation with students and their 
     parents helped guide their design and development of the 
     Library Project's logo and overall identity.


                          JRS Architects, Inc

       JRS Architects, Inc., as a consultant to Baltimore City 
     Public Schools, will work closely with Kirk Designs to 
     incorporate the elements of the concept plan into the 
     architectural plans, including coordination of proposed 
     lighting and technology with electrical and data plans, 
     incorporation of floor, wall and window treatments into the 
     construction documents. JRS Architects will also help 
     coordinate the efforts of other partners donating technology 
     and equipment to ensure smooth coordination into the finished 
     library. JRS Architects, Inc. will be donating the time 
     required to coordinate the efforts of the partners in the 
     three QZAB-funded projects.


                              Kirk Designs

       Kirk Designs Inc. will design and detail all aspects of the 
     library pertaining to selections for, but not limited to, 
     lighting, flooring, wall and window treatments as well as all 
     furnishings while creating a usable and exciting space for 
     grades Pre-K through Eight. Kirk Designs will interface with 
     vendors as well as provide and enforce a schedule for 
     completion. Kirk Designs will be donating a substantial 
     design cost for each project, approximately $15,000 per 
     library.


                            Knott Mechanical

       Knott Mechanical will provide for modifications to the 
     libraries' existing air distribution systems including 
     installation of new diffusers and low-pressure ductwork to 
     conform with the new designs. Knott Mechanical is one of the 
     Baltimore metropolitan area's premier commercial HVAC and 
     plumbing service providers, serving more than 150 clients 
     including Johns Hopkins and Comcast.


                           Maryland Food Bank

       Maryland Food Bank is happy to investigate the 
     implementation of their school pantry program in each of 
     these school locations and can also help with summer feeding 
     programs when school is out of session.


                      Parks and People Foundation

       Parks & People will consider each renovated library as a 
     potential site for after school and summer programming. Site 
     assessments for the first six libraries could amount to as 
     much as $2,000 per site, or a total of $12,000. For libraries 
     that are determined to be a fit for an after school or summer 
     program, services provided would range from $5,000-$80,000 
     per site. The organization is also involved in green 
     initiatives at each school including asphalt removal and the 
     creation of reading gardens.


                            Raising a Reader

       Raising A Reader is partnering with the Weinberg Foundation 
     to provide library project schools with an opportunity to 
     implement the program in kindergarten classrooms. The 
     partnership covers the cost of training, materials and the 
     financial support needed to implement Raising A Reader for 
     many of our youngest learners and their families.


        State of Maryland/Maryland State Department of Education

       The State of Maryland, through The Maryland State 
     Department of Education will provide focused technical 
     assistance by working with the Manager for Library Media 
     Services for the Baltimore City Public Schools to support the 
     library/media specialists in the Weinberg Library Project 
     schools with the incorporation of digital resources, the 
     utilization of the MDK12 Digital Library, assistance with 
     professional development needs, and with collection 
     development. MSDE staff will also facilitate linkages with 
     public libraries to promote professional development 
     opportunities and broaden access to materials. During the 
     transition to the new Maryland State Common Core Curriculum, 
     MSDE staff will commit time and energy to supporting the work 
     of the library/media center specialists in providing 
     assistance to teachers who are engaged in integrating primary 
     resources into their lessons.


                     United Way of Central Maryland

       As part of United Way Worldwide's effort to cut the high 
     school dropout rate in half, United Way of Central Maryland 
     has joined their call to help recruit one million readers, 
     tutors and mentors and will launch a new volunteer program: 
     Read, Learn, Succeed this fall. We look forward to recruiting 
     members of the community to read to young children to fill in 
     some of the volunteer gaps that exist in many local programs.


                               VPC, Inc.

       Handles all of the production and multimedia content 
     creation for Library Project events.


                              Wells Fargo

       Wells Fargo is proud to further its commitment to Baltimore 
     City students by serving as the Baltimore Elementary and 
     Middle School Library Project's Financial Literacy Partner. 
     Their commitment will include a $20,000 donation to fund 
     library technology thereby providing access to a world of 
     information including www.handsonbanking.com, the online 
     portal to its free financial literacy program. The company 
     also commits its most valued resource, the time and talent of 
     local Wells Fargo team members. Local team members will 
     provide financial literacy to members of the Weinberg Library 
     communities, including teachers, students and their families. 
     Additionally, through Wells Fargo's Reading First program, 
     team members will read aloud to Pre-K through 1st grade 
     classes to support early childhood literacy and will then 
     donate those books to the library.

  Mr. CARDIN. I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Virginia.

                          ____________________