Groups donate $407,800 to library

Editor’s note: This changes the California State Library’s money to a grant.

The Newport Beach Public Library received $407,800 from various groups recently.

Library officials revealed the money’s sources at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

“I have hit the jackpot today, so to speak,” Library Director Cynthia Cowell said at the council meeting. “I have received three very nice checks from two local support groups and our fans in Sacramento at the state library.”

The California State Library gave an $11,000 grant, the Newport Beach Public Library Foundation wrote a check for $156,000, and the Friends of the Library presented a final check for $240,800.

Cowell said they will use the $11,000 from the state for homework-help software, which provides live, online tutorials for students.

— Joanna Clay