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Improving Literacy Through School Libraries

Introduction
Current Status
Award Information
State Funding Histories
What can I do?
Other Information

Last updated: February 13, 2009

Introduction

The Improving Literacy Through School Libraries (LSL) program is 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 is the first program specifically aimed at upgrading school libraries since the original school library resources program was established in 1965.

Numerous studies show there is a clear link between the quality of library media programs in schools staffed by an experienced school library media specialist and student academic achievement. School library media centers can contribute to improved student achievement by providing up-to-date instructional materials aligned to the curriculum and instructional practices, collaborating with and supporting teachers, administrators, and parents, and extending their hours of operation beyond the school day.

*See Scholastic's School Libraries Work (2008 Edition) (PDF)

LSL is authorized through Title I, Part B, Subpart 4, section 1251, of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (P.L. 107-110). The No Child Left Behind Act is up for reauthorization in 2007.

The program is authorized to receive $250 million in federal funding. When the funding levels are less than $100 million in a fiscal year, the Secretary awards competitive grants to eligible school districts. When funds are equal to or more than $100 million, the program will be distributed as formula grants to state departments of education.

The U.S. Department of Education awards competitive grants to high poverty school districts. Only school districts in which 20 percent of the students served are from families with incomes below the poverty line are eligible to apply. In FY 2004, out of approximately 700 applicants, only 92 grants were funded. Eight states - Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Nevada, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Wyoming - have never received a grant.

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Current Status

Information on the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries (LSL) program will be made available in the spring of 2008. Please check back at that time or check the Department of Education's LSL page for forthcoming details.

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Award Information

2008
Total Funding: $19,144,597
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, Verginia, West Verginia, 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.

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State Funding Histories

Click on the name of your state to find your local information.
States in Purple have never been funded and have no page.

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What can I do?

Urge Congress to provide $100 million for the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries program in FY 2010.

Other Information

US Department of Education

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