Improving Literacy Through School Libraries
- Introduction
- Current Status
- Award Information
- State Funding Histories
- What can I do?
- Other Information
Last Update: February 21, 2007
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 well-trained and professionally certified school 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.
*SeeScholastic's School Libraries Work! (2006 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.
Current Status
The Department of Education announced today that the application package for the 2007 Improving Literacy Through School Libraries (LSL) program competition is now available. Application information is available at the Department of Education's LSL page.
The Notice inviting applications as published in the Federal Register can be found here (PDF).
Eligible applicants include local education agencies (LEAs) in which at least 20 percent of the students served are from families with incomes below the poverty line based on the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Information on the poverty level in each district can be found here. Approximately $19 million will be available for funding, and an estimated 100 grants will be awarded under this competition. The deadline for applications is April 2, 2007.
Even if you registered last year, you must register again.
It is important to note that applicants must submit applications electronically at http://www.grants.gov. It is vital that all applicants register early, since the registration process on Grants.gov can take from 7 to 10 days. Please note that if you are registered make sure your information is up to date. It is also necessary to send in your application at least three days before the closing date of the competition, since it can take that long to process the application.
Award Information
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.
State Funding Histories
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
What can I do?
Urge Congress to provide $100 million for the improving Literacy Through School Libraries program in FY 2007.