Three months ago, we announced a new partnership with James Patterson that aimed to give $1.5 million to school libraries in need across the country. A staggering 28,000 applications later, James Patterson decided to increase his contribution by another $250,000, bringing his total donation to $1.75 million.
Today we're excited to announce that distribution of the first round of funds to school libraries officially starts now! $500,000 will go to 127 individual schools, with grants that range from $1,000 to $10,000 per school. Even better: Scholastic Reading Club will match each dollar with bonus points that allow teachers to buy materials, including books, for their classrooms.
“We’ve been deluged with an enormous number of requests for support from across the country,” said Judy Newman, President of Scholastic Reading Club. “More than anything else, school libraries are desperate for books to fill their shelves. James Patterson’s generosity underscores a great need, and, thanks to him, many children will be welcomed back to school with the books they need to discover a love of reading.”
To apply for a school library grant, applicants had to answer this one question: “What would your school library do with $1,000 to $10,000?” Many applications expressed concern over a dire need for funding and a lack of books, shelves, materials, and, in many cases, librarians.
“I’ve now read over a thousand letters from school librarians, teachers, and parents about the lack of resources at our country’s schools," says Patterson. "How will children make it to high school without access to books?"
The full list of schools receiving grants in the first round is available online at www.scholastic.com/pattersonpartnership. The remaining $1.25 million, which is being personally donated by Patterson, will be given away in stages through 2015.
