U.S. SECRETARY OF EDUCATION ARNE DUNCAN ANNOUNCES $18.5 MILLION TO IMPROVE SCHOOL LIBRARIES AND ENCOURAGE READING IN LOW-INCOME

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced the award of $18.5 million to enhance libraries in 57 low-income school districts across the United States. The grants will help schools improve reading achievement by providing students with increased access to current school library materials; technologically advanced media centers; and professionally certified media specialists.

"Encouraging students to improve their reading is a key to their success in school and in life," Secretary Duncan said. "These grants help schools give students access to the most up-to-date books, technology, and highly trained library personnel to improve teaching and learning and to challenge students to achieve." 

Funded through the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries program, grants can be used to acquire books and other library holdings; improve school libraries' technological resources and capabilities; facilitate Internet links and other resource-sharing networks; provide professional development for library personnel; enhance opportunities for collaboration among library specialists, teachers and administrators; and expand hours of access to library services.

For more information about the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries program, visit: www.ed.gov/programs/lsl and for the list of grantees and abstracts, visithttp://www.ed.gov/programs/lsl/awards.html 

Following is a list of the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries grant recipients:

. AK -- Kuspuk School District, $453,404.
. AK -- Yukon Flats School District, $299,479.
. AR -- Blytheville, $302,600.
. AR -- Little Rock School District, $325,557.
. AR -- Pocahontas School District, $219,911.
. AZ -- Ecadamie High School, $238,118.
. AZ -- Santa Cruz County RSD #99, $381,931.
. CA -- Dinuba Unified School District, $466,779.
. CA -- Round Valley Unified School District, $246,046.
. CO -- City and County of Denver, $479,359.
. CT -- Waterbury School District, $500,000.
. FL -- Holmes District School Board, $215,236.
. GA -- Marietta Independent School District, $295,945.
. IL -- Chicago Heights School District 170, $587,519.
. IL -- Chicago Public Schools, District #299, $498,034.
. IL -- East St. Louis School District 189, $408,302.
. KY -- Letcher County Public Schools, $332,297.
. LA -- NOLA 180 - Langston Hughes Academy, $161,142.
. LA -- Webster Parish School Board, $498,149.
. MA -- Springfield Public Schools, $298,222.
. ME -- Maine School Administrative District 43, $407,543.
. ME -- Waterville Public Schools, $243,646.
. MS -- Gulfport School District, $322,786.
. NC -- Bladen County Schools, $495,381.
. ND -- Warwick School District 29, $340,451.
. NY -- Board of Education, Buffalo NY, $238,934.
. NY -- Copenhagen Central School District, $135,000.
. NY -- Hornell City School District, $298,936.
. NY -- Rochester City School District, $300,000.
. NY -- Salamanca City Central School District, $273,189.
. NY -- Utica City School District, $230,864.
. OK -- Atoka Public Schools, $121,896.
. OK -- Cottonwood Public Schools, $175,954.
. OK -- Eufaula Public Schools, $185,562.
. OK -- Hominy Public School, $191177.
. OK -- Hulbert Public Schools, $167,800.
. OK -- Panama Public School, $299,967.
. OK -- Stratford Public School District I002, $152,613.
. OK -- Tulsa Public Schools, $487,647.
. PA -- Allentown City School District, $455,474.
. PA -- Nueva Esperanza Academy Charter HS, $177,357.
. PA -- Oswayo Valley School District, $292,706.
. PA -- Williamsport Area School District, $250,000.
. SC -- Florence School District One, $498,688.
. SD -- Eagle Butte School District 20-1, $286,117.
. TN -- Bedford County Schools, $422,327.
. TN -- Campbell County School District, $189,158.
. TN -- Fentress County Board of Education, $387,851.
. TX -- Chilton Schools, $329,095.
. TX -- Everman Independent School District, $340,000.
. TX -- Galveston ISD, $500,000.
. TX -- Ingram Independent School District, $296,571.
. TX -- Navasota ISD -- Grant Services, $369,876.
. TX -- Pleasanton Independent School District, $499,992.
. WI -- Milwaukee Public Schools, $500,000.
. WI -- School District of Bayfield, $209,838.
. WI -- School District of Westfield, $264,610.


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