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.
The U.S. Department of Education awards competitive grants to high poverty school districts. Only school districts in which 20% of the students served are from families with incomes below the poverty line are eligible to apply.
*These numbers do not include eligible charter schools, special districts, or state administered schools.
Department of Education
Improving Literacy Through School Libraries
Grant Recipients
States that have never received funding under the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries program (8):
Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Nevada, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Wyoming
If the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries program were funded at $100 million, all states would receive funding.
2006
Total Funding: $19,486,170
Total Awards: 100
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
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.
Alabama | Alaska | Arkansas | Arizona | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | District of Columbia | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming
We invite you to try out our new site today! If you experience problems with or have questions about the new site, please email Andy Bridges or Erin Haggerty.
And don't hesitate to pick up the phone, too! Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202-225-3121 to contact your Member of Congress.
School Library Funding
