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Early Learning Center to be Built at Austin-Irving Branch Library

 The Austin Irving Branch of the Chicago Public Library.
The Austin Irving Branch of the Chicago Public Library.
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Flickr/Daniel X. O'Neil

PORTAGE PARK — New science, technology, engineering and math programs for children will be offered at the Chicago Public Library's Austin-Irving branch, city officials announced.

The new programs will be funded as part of a $2.5 million grant to the Chicago Public Library Foundation from Exelon Corp., officials said.

An 18,000-square-foot children's space at Harold Washington Library Center will serve as the flagship early learning center, with 14 satellite locations at libraries throughout the city, including one at the Austin Irving branch, 6100 W. Irving Park Road, officials said.

The early learning areas and librarians will also incorporate the five practices of early learning — talk, sing, read, write and play — into each center as well as science, technology, engineering and math programs, city officials said.

"Giving [our kids] a quality education from day one and helping provide their parents with the tools to be consistent and active partners in their children's education is the best investment any of us can make," Mayor Rahm Emanuel said.

The sites at the branch libraries will provide programming specific to its neighborhood, officials said.

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