The Reaching Across Illinois Libraries System (RAILS) announced that 18 projects have been selected to receive My Library Is… Grants for School Libraries. The total amount funded for these projects is $58,346.09.
These grants provide an opportunity for libraries to focus on projects that help tell the library story and that increase visibility and support in schools.
RAILS received 25 total applications. The following projects were chosen from those 25:
- Batavia Community Unit School District #101, My Library is Cooking...Fostering Connections through Food, $1,077.76
- Brentano Math & Science Academy, City of Chicago School District #299, My Library is . . . Bilingual!, $5,000.00
- Community High School District #94, Inclusion Overhaul, $3,000.00
- Crystal Lawns Elementary, Plainfield CCSD 20, My Library Is...A Place to Cultivate Lifelong Readers, $5,000.00
- Fox Lake School District 114, My Library is.. Lotus Library Reading & Beyond, $3,000.00
- Geneva Community Unit School District #304, My Library Talks, $4,274.39
- Glenbard East High School, My Library is Engaging and Informative!, $2,801.87
- High Point School, My Library Is... STEAM Powered, While Students Are at School and at Home!, $4,500.00
- Hononegah Community High School District #207, My Library Is a Student-Centered, Inclusive Space That Encourages a Love of Reading, $2,500.00
- Libertyville School District 70, Inclusive Graphic Novels, $2,581.55
- Macomb High School, How Past Cultures Shape Our Current Community, $4,999.94
- Northbrook Glenview School District 30, RisingSTEAM: Overcoming the Obstacles and Reaching New Heights in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math, $2,161.04
- Oak Lawn Community High School District #229, Keeping It Real: An Exploration of Non-Fiction Comics Through the Lens of Diverse Women Creators, $3,272.99
- Saint Patrick High School, My Library Is...The Place to Be!, $5,000.00
- Sterling CUSD #5, Meeting the Mental Health Needs of Students K-12, $1,200.00
- Trinity High School, My Library Is…A Place to Find Your BFF (Books for Fun), $1,718.85
- Troy Comm. Consolidated Elementary SD 30C, Diversity Book Club, $1,257.70
- Vernon Hills High School, My Library Is …A Welcoming Place for Students Who Read in All Languages, $5,000.00
“We were thrilled with the quality of applications we received this year,” said RAILS Executive Director Monica Harris. "School library workers are problem solvers, and these applications demonstrate the creativity and determination they have to serve their students and communities.”
RAILS would like to thank the following volunteers who took the time to evaluate the grant applications:
- Jeanne’ Aken, Beach Park CCSD #3
- Leigh Ann Cloud, Peoria PSD #150
- Leslie Forsman, Triopia CUSD #27
- Judy Meier, Plainfield CCSD 202
- Sia Paganis, Queen Bee SD 16
- Roxanne Price, Marion CUSD #2
- Miriam Rosen, Evanston Township High School District #202
- Kristina Weber, Community Unit School District 300
- Erin Wyatt, Libertyville School District 70
For more information on the My Library Is… campaign, please visit the campaign website.
For more information on these grants, please contact Dan Bostrom, RAILS Member Engagement Manager, 630.734.5152