Kathryn Winn Primary was one of 200 schools from 40 states to receive a $5,000 grant through the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s LIbraries.
Winn’s Library Media Specialist Phoebe James said the grant will be used to purchase 140 to 220 new books for their kindergarten and first grade population. The new books can cost as much as $35.
“We are focusing on picture books, early readers, and interactive books that engage young readers. We are particularly looking for books that feature diverse characters and stories, as well as those that support social-emotional learning and foundational literacy skills,” James said.
Books will be purchased in both English and Spanish, providing a diverse range of reading materials to bilingual students. James said the library has lacked a variety of Spanish reading materials and this grant will allow her to fill that gap.
"This generous grant from the Laura Bush Foundation will transform our library into a vibrant, inclusive space that celebrates diversity and fosters a love of reading,” James said. “By expanding our collection with new, high-quality books, we are supporting our young readers' literacy development and also helping them see themselves in the stories they read. This will have a profound impact on their educational journey and their growth as individuals."
Mrs. Bush provides a summer reading list, but grant recipients are not required to purchase all of the books on that list. James said she will purchase books that align with the foundation’s goals of promoting literacy and providing quality reading materials to young students.
According to a press release from the foundation, Mrs. Bush said, “When a child opens a book, they open up a world of possibilities. I’m grateful that this year’s Laura Bush Foundation grants give librarians the opportunity to update their collections, and they give students the chance to find a new genre or subject that interests them.”