Ten libraries at local school districts receive part of $1.4 million in grants from Jesse White’s office

Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White recently awarded more than $1.4 million in Fiscal Year 2022 School District Library Grant Program awards to 672 public school districts. More than 1.5 million Illinois students served by school library programs will benefit from the grants.

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

School library grants were awarded based on a formula of $.885 per student, with a minimum grant award of $850. The grant program is used for:

• Fiction and/or non-fiction books 
• Educational CDs and DVDs
• Library subscriptions 
• Electronic resources
• New computers 
• Wi-Fi connectivity improvements

Quincy School District 172 received $5,024.47, and the Pikeland School District in Pittsfield received $913.23. Augusta Southeastern, Barry Western, Camp Point Central, Brown County, Pleasant Hill, Nauvoo-Colusa, Mendon Unity and Payson Seymour all received $850.