SPRINGFIELD –– Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White announced today that he is awarding 770 school districts in Illinois grants from the Secretary of State's Public School Library Per Capita Grant Program.
"Illinois was the first state in the nation to enact a school library grant program, and thanks to this valuable funding our school libraries are among the best in the nation," White said. "Students depend on our school libraries for information that helps them become better students and for other material that enriches their lives. In some of our communities students do not have easy access to public libraries. They depend solely on their school library for the books and other materials they need."
White said $1.36 million is being awarded statewide, based upon a statutory pro-rated formula. Grants are available to tax supported public school districts that are members of a regional library system. White noted that many school districts have more than one school library. Grants may be used to provide more library books and other materials for students in public elementary and secondary schools.
"School libraries provide the tools that allow students to develop more critical thinking skills," White said. "School library programs are a valuable asset in strengthening reading skills. They provide a positive environment where kids can interact with one another and make new friends. The research and evaluation skills students develop from school librarians and school library media specialists last a lifetime.
"During my tenure as State Librarian I have visited many Illinois school libraries and I have seen first hand how they benefit students of all ages. I'll continue to do all I can to provide school libraries with the resources they need to produce outstanding students."
List of school districts receiving school library grant awards
