During the Bucks for Books presentation to Centennial Elementary in Lewiston, a sweet, fifth grade student told the Idaho Lottery, “You wouldn’t believe my room. I have books everywhere. Under the bed, on all my shelves. I love to read. I’m in the library twice a day,” she said before adding, “When I grow up, I want to be a librarian.”
Centennial Elementary was one of 39 lucky elementary schools across Idaho who received new books and a big cash award the end of October and into November as part of the Idaho Lottery’s annual Bucks for Books program. Bucks for Books is a collaborative effort between the Idaho Lottery and the Idaho Commission for the Libraries to improve early education literacy. This year’s contribution to schools totaled $105,000.
“The Idaho Lottery was created to do good for public schools in the State of Idaho,” said Jeff Anderson, Idaho Lottery Director. “Bucks for Books is another way we further our ‘Do Good’ mission by promoting early education literacy among young learners.”
From Kootenai Elementary just north of Sandpoint to Driggs Elementary in eastern Idaho, this year's awardees shared a common theme - reading is important to improve every community.
"It's about engaging students and getting books in their hands. Reading is the key to learning everything from math and science, it all begins with reading," said principal at Kootenai Elementary where the library is more akin to a small boutique northwest book shop.
"I want the students to read books they choose and want to read. I already have my wish list. Getting a Bucks for Books award is like Christmas," said Joanna Holder, librarian at McSorley Elementary in Lewiston.
The entire student body of Victory Charter School in Nampa welcomed the Lottery and cheered wildly for the new books. The heartwarming experience became more profound as Victory’s library is small, part of the cafeteria, and has many empty shelves. The school simply lacks the resources to keep up with cost of purchasing new books.
The American Library Association recommends that an effective school library requires 15 - 20 books per student in a school’s collection, with an annual budget allocation of $12 - $15 per student each year to replace lost and damaged materials and to maintain a current, relevant collection.
In October, schools applied through the Idaho Commission for Libraries for Bucks for Books funds. Awards were determined in early October and ranged from $1,000 to $3,000.
“We have been extremely fortunate to partner with the Idaho Lottery to provides grants to elementary schools to help get the books students want into their collections,” said Jeannie Standal, school librarian consultant for the Idaho Commission for Libraries. “These awards are used exclusively for books, which so many of our schools have little or no budget to fund. In Idaho, 28% of elementary school libraries have an annual book budget of $100 or less, which will only buy four to five books, so the funds from the Idaho Lottery are an amazing gift that will help young students throughout the Gem State.”
The Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind in Gooding was one of this year's recipients. They will be using their awards for digital books that students can read Braille electronically. The technology allows students to use touch pad screens that rise up and down, and then swipe to the next page to facilitate reading.
Riverside Elementary in Blackfoot saw the Bucks for Books program as a way to enhance their small budget and purchase new titles for their readers. “I am so excited,” said Lisa Page of Riverside Elementary, “I am a fairly new Librarian and we have some wonderful books but we this provides the possibility to get new books. And new books are expensive. So, when I saw this grant, I decided I’ve got to apply to see if I can get some more books in. I am just thrilled that we were able to get it.”
Over three years the Bucks for Books program has provided over $185,000 in elementary school library awards and books to seventy schools.
Below is the complete list of awardees in Idaho:
BUCKS FOR BOOKS AWARD BY REGION
