Guthrie Junior High received a grant today from bestselling author James Patterson to support its school library. In addition, Scholastic Reading Club will match each dollar of Patterson’s donation with “bonus points” that teachers can use to acquire books and other materials for their classrooms. Guthrie Junior High was selected from 27,924 applications for funding grants.
As part of an ongoing effort to keep books and reading a number one priority in the United States, bestselling author James Patterson, together with Scholastic Reading Club made a commitment to help save school libraries nationwide. This year alone, Patterson personally donated $1.75 million to school libraries nationwide, with grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 allocated to each of the 467 selected schools. Guthrie Junior High will receive $6,000 from the grant.
”We are extremely excited about the grant we have received. We would like to thank Mrs. Anne Fultz for nominating Guthrie Junior High for this grant,” Principal Robbie Rainwater said. “We would like to send our sincere appreciation to Mr. James Patterson for his generosity. School libraries/media centers take on large roles in the school including book checkout, computers for research, and technology for presentations. With this grant, our school will be able to increase the capacity in which our library operates by producing a more effective and learner friendly media center, increase our book collection, and update needed technology used by students and staff alike. Guthrie Junior High is extremely grateful to Mr. Patterson and his commitment to better the educational environment through funds that will allow us to encourage and inspire student learning.”
“These grants are my humble acknowledgement of some of the terrific work taking place in libraries,” says Patterson. “Here’s to communities supporting school libraries. Here’s to a country that makes reading a priority. Here’s to flourishing libraries and to a joyful holiday season!”
“It continues to be inspiring and motivating to work with James Patterson to support school libraries across the country,” said Judy Newman, President of Scholastic Reading Club. “Jim’s unwavering commitment to helping children lead better lives rich with books is transformative. Scholastic is thrilled to be working in such an effective partnership.”
In the first-ever partnership of its kind, Patterson joined forces with Scholastic Reading Club to administer funding applications to their network of 62,000 schools and 800,000 teachers. Applicants were asked to fill out an online application posing the question, “what would your school library do with $1,000 to $10,000?” The full list of grant recipients is available online at www.scholastic.com/pattersonpartnership.
Any U.S. school with students from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade was eligible for a grant. Patterson hopes that the high volume of requests will raise awareness for the problems facing school libraries today. To learn more, go to mediaroom.scholastic.com/scholasticreadingclub and follow #PattersonPledge on social media.
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