Four district schools, Roberto Clemente, New Roberto Clemente, Public School No. 27, and Dr. Hani Awadallah recently received a $5,000 grant through the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries. These schools are part of the 300 schools from 36 states across the country to receive the award. This year, the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries awarded $1.5 million in library grants this year.

Many of the libraries will use the funds to update and diversify their collections.

Superintendent of Schools Eileen Shafer said, “I couldn’t be happier that four of the District’s schools received this award. I know that the students there and those to come will make great use of the new resources. I want to thank the media specialist of each school for applying for the grant and their continuing endeavors to improve their students’ education opportunities, as well as William Paterson University for helping the schools’ staff during the application process.” She then added, “I also want to thank the administrators, faculty and staff for their hard work, as well as the parents for their support.”

The media specialists from each school were Roberto Clemente’s Michelle Pio, New Roberto Clemente’s Elizabeth Bello, School No. 27’s Wendy Ortega Baez, and Dr. Hani Awadallah’s Gina Bello. They were assisted by Education & Curriculum Materials Librarian Neil D. Grimes of the David and Lorraine Cheng Library at William Paterson University.

The Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries supports school libraries with the greatest needs with the goal of encouraging all students to develop a love of reading and learning. Since its inception in 2002, it has awarded $21 million to more than 3,600 schools across the country.

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