Media Contacts: Leanne Ingle, Communications Specialist, 1-877-284-6237, ext. 2508, or Kathleen Ringenberg, Westport Community Library Supervisor, (360) 268-0521.

Marilyn Hoggarth, Verizon Communications external affairs manager, will be at the Westport Timberland Library at 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 15 to award a $5,000 grant to the Timberland Regional Library Foundation on behalf of Westport’s new library building campaign. The grant will pay for two to three public computer workstations with Internet access for the library, double the current number. Members of the Friends of the Westport Timberland Library LEAP (Library Expansion Action Project) committee as well as City of Westport and Timberland Regional Library officials will attend the event.

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, is awarding 10 technology grants in Washington State this fall. "These grants reaffirm Verizon's commitment to support projects that will improve the technological capabilities of nonprofit organizations in our communities," said Steve Banta, Verizon Northwest president. "Having appropriate technology in today's technology driven world is a necessity, not a luxury."

The grants focus on improving basic and computer literacy, enriching communities through technology, and creating a skilled work force. The Verizon Foundation understood that the Westport community lacks adequate public access computers for seniors, low-income users, students and disabled persons for job searches, skill development and general learning.

The new computer workstations will be installed in Westport’s new library. The building campaign is nearing its $300,000 goal, with cash donations and grants of $230,000 and in kind contributions worth $44,000. The building project is expected to break ground this fall on land donated by Victor Druzianich.