ROCKFORD –Four local school districts will be awarded school library grants from the State of Illinois, State Representative Joe Sosnowski, R-Rockford, announced today. The grants are from the School Library Grant program administered by the Illinois Secretary of State.
“School libraries are a cornerstone of quality education,” Representative Sosnowski said. “Whether in printed or digital form, books play an integral role in a child’s ability to learn and develop his or her own potential. We are proud that four of our local school districts serving students in Boone and Winnebago Counties have earned this grant and will utilize them toward improving school library services.”
The School District Library Grant Program is designed to help provide more library books and materials for the students of public schools in Illinois. The state legislature has authorized up to a $.75 per pupil expenditure for qualifying schools. The grant award is based on funds appropriated by the General Assembly and the official enrollment as of the previous September 30th of a school district.
“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,” said Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian, Jesse White. “Illinois was the first state to implement a school district grant program for libraries, and I am pleased that we can continue to provide them with some of the financial resources they need to produce well-educated students.”
The grant monies will be processed by the Secretary of State’s office next week and then sent to the Comptroller for payment.
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