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March 2, 2005

Pat McGuckin
Randy Nehrt

White Awards $1.4 Million In Grants To School Libraries

SPRINGFIELD — Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White has awarded grants totaling $1.4 million to 735 public school districts to help provide library services to nearly 2 million students in more than 3,200 school libraries.

"Illinois was the first state in the nation to implement a public school library per capita grant program," White said. "Each year we award grants to help school libraries buy books, computers and other library materials. Funding can also be used to help librarians and staff with continuing education and professional development. These funds clearly help provide quality library services and enhance student learning."

White's office recently funded a major survey for the Illinois School Library Media Association that showed student achievement in Illinois is positively impacted by the presence of libraries in schools. The findings of the study indicated that school libraries help produce students who succeed on tests and achieve higher average reading and writing scores. Students who visit the school library more frequently receive better scores. Students with access to better-staffed libraries, computers connected to library catalogs and databases and larger, more current book collections do better on tests and have higher test scores.

"Librarians and staff working in our school libraries are committed to seeing students achieve their utmost potential." White said. "I am pleased that this grant program helps keep our school libraries strong, and gives our students access to the essential resources they need to be successful and become lifelong learners."

Grant funds must be used to support the services of the district's school library media program. Funds may not be used for capital improvements such as shelving or wiring. This year's grants provide $0.72 per student to support school library services. Grants are available to tax supported public school districts that are members of one of Illinois' regional library systems.

Fiscal Year 2005 Public School Library Per Capita Grants