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February 1, 2007

Pat McGuckin
Randy Nehrt

White Says 2 Million Illinois Students To Benefit From
Annual Grants To School Libraries

Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White has awarded Fiscal Year 2007 school library per capita grants totaling almost $1.4 million to 726 public school districts to help provide library services to nearly 2 million students in more than 3,400 school libraries.

"Every year my office awards these grants to help school libraries purchase books, subscriptions to valuable electronic resources, improve technology, and to support student research efforts," White said. "These funds enhance student learning and help school libraries provide high quality library services. Illinois was the first state in the nation to enact a public school library per capita grant program, and our program remains a resounding success.

"Studies have proven that student achievement is positively impacted by the presence of libraries in schools. We know 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."

White said the 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 $0.71 per student to support school library services, with a minimum award of $100. Grants are available to tax supported public school districts that are members of one of Illinois' regional library systems.

"Librarians and staff employed in our school libraries work very hard to help 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."

View the 2007 Grant Recipients