Improving Literacy Through School Libraries

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 83

April 23, 2004

INFORMATIONAL

TO:

Division Superintendents

FROM:

Jo Lynne DeMary

Superintendent of Public Instruction

SUBJECT:

Improving Literacy Through School Libraries

The United States Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, has announced guidelines and application information for the 2004 Improving Literacy Through School Libraries (LSL) program. This program promotes comprehensive local strategies to improve student-reading achievement by improving school library services and resources. The LSL program is one component of the department's commitment to dramatically improve student achievement by focusing available resources, including those of school library media centers, on reading achievement.

Extensive research has shown that 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.

Approximately $19.8 million will be distributed to eligible local education agencies (LEAs) in an estimated 200 awards ranging from $20,000 to $350,000. Only LEAs in which at least 20 percent of students served are from families with incomes below the poverty line are eligible to apply.

Applications for the 2004 Improving Literacy Through School Libraries competition are now available online. The 2004 Improving Literacy Through School Libraries grant competition opened on April 5, 2004, and will close on May 20, 2004. The application package is available at http://www.ed.gov/programs/lsl/index.html

If you have any questions about this grant program, please contact Charlie Makela, school library media programs and research services specialist, Office of Educational Technology at cmakela@mail.vak12ed.edu or (804)786-9412.

JLD/cm