Improving Literacy Through School Libraries

The Improving Literacy Through School Libraries (LSL) program was designed to improve student literacy skills and academic achievement by providing schools with up-to-date library materials and to ensure that school library media centers are staffed by state-certified school library media specialists. The program is administered by the Department of Education and was the first program specifically aimed at upgrading school libraries since the original school library resources program was established in 1965. This program was funded from FY 2002 - FY 2010. Visit the U.S. Department of Education's website for the full LSL Award History.


Award Information

2010
Appropriation: $19,145,000
Number of New Awards: TBD
Average Awards: $350,000
Range of Awards: $30,000 to $500,000

2009
Total Funding: $19,144,597
Total Awards: 57
Total Applicants: 450
Average Awards: $250,000
Range of Awards: $30,000 to $500,000

States not receiving funding in FY 2009 (26):

  • Alabama, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming

2008
Total Awards: 60
Total Applicants: 496
Average Awards: $250,000
Range of Awards: $39,000 to $500,000

States not receiving funding in FY 2008 (26):

  • Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South  Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin

2007
Total Funding: $19,042,452
Total Awards: 78
Total Applicants: 486
Average Awards: $244,134
Range of Awards: $61,062 to $399,420

States not receiving funding in FY 2007 (23):

  • Alabama, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa,  Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming

2006
Total Funding: $19,486,170
Total Awards: 78
Total Applicants: 520
Average Awards: $190,000
Range of Awards: $30,000 to $300,000

States not receiving funding in FY 2006 (24):

  • Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming

2005
Total Funding: $19.1 million
Total Awards: 85
Total Applicants: 636
Average Award: $225,000

States not receiving funding in FY 2005 (23):

  • Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

2004
Total Funding: 19,842,000
Total Awards: 92
Total Applicants: approximately 700
Average Award: $ 200,000

States not receiving funding in FY 2004 (21):

  • Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, and Wyoming

2003
Total Funding: $12,419,000
Total Awards: 73
Total Applicants: 700
Average Award: $165,000

States not receiving funding in FY 2003 (24):

  • Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming

2002
Total Funding: $12,418,750
Total Awards: 94
Total Applicants: 593
Average Award: $75,000
Range of Awards: $24,000-$350,000

States not receiving funding in FY 2002 (17):

  • Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming