FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 18, 2025

Grant supports early literacy in our community

COLUMBUS, N. C., (December 18, 2025) Thanks to a grant from the Carolina Foothills Foundation, Polk County Public Libraries were recently able to add more early literacy Launchpad tablets into circulation and a new AWE Early Learning Literacy Station to the Saluda Library children’s area. Through this grant, Carolina Foothills Foundation and Polk County Public Libraries are helping prepare the children of Polk County for a lifetime of learning.

AWE Learning provides literacy-focused digital learning solutions for early learners, in order to inspire an enthusiasm for learning by supporting school readiness and literacy in the community. Their learning products deliver award winning multi-curricular content through a safe environment that excels at providing fun and interactive learning to set children on the path for success beginning at a young age. Both the Columbus and Saluda Libraries now have new, bilingual (English/Spanish) AWE Learning Literacy Stations. Launchpads are pre-loaded tablets that provide world-class content from partners like Smithsonian, Sesame Street, Baby Einstein, and more. The tablets combine apps, videos, and storybooks for a multi-modal learning approach that gives kids the tools to learn the way they learn best.

Polk County Public Libraries has two libraries, Columbus Library and Saluda Library, with books, movies, music, audiobooks, and downloadable eBooks and audiobooks available for checkout, as well as public computers and wireless internet access. PCPL also offers regularly scheduled virtual and in-person programs for all ages. To learn more, visit www.polklibrary.org.