Unit 1 granted state library funds

     The Unit 1 School District has been awarded a School District Library Program Grant to support its library media programs.
    The grant program is designed to provide more library books and materials for students in Illinois’ public schools. The state legislature authorized up to 75-cents-per-pupil expenditure for qualifying schools. The grant award is based on funds appropriated by the General Assembly and the official enrollment of a school district as of the previous September 30.
    “Libraries provide overwhelming support to the education of students in our schools. I am happy to see continued support for our students from the state library,” said 79th District State Rep. Lindsay Parkhurst.
    The grant will provide Unit 1 with  $1,552 that will be used to enhance student learning and academics, according to Unit 1 Superintendent Dr. Kent Bugg.
    District librarian Allison Peterson prepared and submitted the grant request to the state. Her work was acknowledged by the superintendent, who announced the grant award at the January meeting of the Unit 1 Board of Education.
    “As a former public school teacher and administrator, I know our school libraries are very important in helping students learn and prepare themselves for the future. Illinois was the first state to implement a school district grant program for libraries, and I am pleased that we can continue to provide them with some of the financial resources they need to produce well educated students,” said Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White.
    Parkhurst announced that the grant money will be processed through White’s office within the week.