Jesse White awards over $1.3 million in school library grants

DU QUOIN - Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White recently awarded over $1.3 million in FY19 School District Library Grant Program funds to 694 public school districts. More than 1.6 million Illinois students served by school library media programs benefit from the grants.

"As a former public school teacher and administrator, I know our school libraries are very important in helping students learn and prepare themselves for the future," White said. "Illinois was the first state to implement a school district grant program, and I'm pleased that we can continue to provide school libraries with some of the financial resources they need to produce well-educated students."

Appropriations from FY19 that were approved by the General Assembly and the governor awarded school library grants based on a formula of 75 cents per student, with a minimum grant award of $750.

Locally, Du Quoin School District receives $1,059.75. Elverado will receive $750 as will Christopher, Trico, Giant City, Unity Point and Carbondale High Schools, Carbondale Elementary will receive $1,046.25. Murphysboro District 186 will get $1,435.50.

The School District Library Grant Program is used to acquire fiction and/or nonfiction books, educational CDs and DVDs, library subscriptions to electronic resources, and to improve technology by purchasing new computers or improving Wi-Fi connectivity.

Information concerning the grant program can be found at: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/grants/schoolpercapgrant.html.