Little Rock School District Awarded $325,557 for Literacy and Libraries
6 School Library Programs Are Targeted for Improvements
Washington D.C. – U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor along with U.S. Representative Vic Snyder (AR-02) today announced that the Little Rock School District will receive $325,557 to update six school libraries and their literacy programs. The funds are provided through the U.S. Department of Education under the Literacy and School Libraries program.
The Department of Education awards funding for this grant program to provide students with more access to the latest school library materials and more technologically advanced school media equipment. The Little Rock School District (LRSD) will utilize this award to target six schools: four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. This LRSD project will update the schools’ book collections and acquire better technology for the media centers. The project also implements a research-based professional development program to increase utilization of the libraries for students, faculties, and families.
“Education is the key to a bright, successful future. These funds will help students in the Little Rock School District have better access to the resources and tools they need to attain a high-quality education. I’m pleased to see these funds awarded to our state, and I’ll continue to do all I can to keep Arkansas strong,” said Lincoln.
“Libraries are gateways of opportunity for our children,” Pryor said. “I’m pleased these federal dollars will improve our libraries and ensure they are interesting and enjoyable places for children to learn.”
“As students develop their reading comprehension, school libraries need to be the place to go—a welcoming place that provides up-to-date resources and good books. This federal investment will help these school libraries maintain their collections and provide the services and technology so needed for today’s students, faculty, and families,” said Snyder.
