Improving Literacy through School Libraries Program

This school year, three Maine school districts were awarded Improving
Literacy through School Libraries grants  from the U.S. Department of
Education.  The grants added more than $250,000  to school libraries in
Maine.   The LSL 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.
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. "

For those interested in the Literacy Through School Libraries (LSL) Program.
The US Department of Education is in the process of preparing the
application package for FY 2003 .  There will be some minor modifications
and clarifications from last year's application package. It should be
available late February or early March. The eligibility and schedule is not
yet posted to the web, but I've been told that the grants will be read in
mid May .



Sylvia K. Norton
Library, Information, and Technology Services
Maine Department of Education/Maine State Library
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207-287-5620
1-800-322-8899

Mailing Address:
Maine State Library
64 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333