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returned to Idaho since 1989!

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Bucks for Books

Each fall the Idaho Lottery collaboratively partners with the Idaho Commission for Libraries on a campaign to improve early education literacy. In its first three years, through Bucks for Books, the Idaho Lottery has awarded 89 elementary schools a total of $225,000 for new book acquisitions. Click here to learn more

Donate your VIP Club points to any one of the 20 elementary schools across Idaho. 20 points funds one book per school. To donate and see the schools on the list, go to the VIP Club Rewards center and click on “Do Good Donations.”

Here are the 19 schools across Idaho who received a Bucks for Books award in 2022. Check them out below:

North Idaho:
Priest Lake Elementary, Priest Lake = $2,000
Ramsey Magnet School of Science, Coeur d'Alene = $2,000
Southside Elementary, Cocolalla = $2,000
Palouse Area:
Kamiah Elementary, Kamiah = $3,000
Webster Elementary, Lewiston = $3,000
East Idaho:
Bridgewater Elementary, Idaho Falls = $3,000
Donald Stalker Elementary, Blackfoot = $3,000

Theresa Bunker Elementary, Idaho Falls = $2,000

Southeast Idaho:
Bellevue Elementary, Bellevue = $3,000
Monticello Montessori, Ammon = $3,000

Pioneer Elementary, Preston = $3,000

Southwest Idaho:

Frontier Elementary, Boise = $3,000
Jefferson Elementary, Boise = $3,000
Lewis and Clark Elementary, Caldwell = $3,000
New Horizon Dual Language Magnet Elementary, Nampa = $3,000
Washington Elementary, Caldwell = $3,000
Whitney Elementary, Boise = $1,000

South Central Idaho:

Kimberly Elementary, Kimberly = $3,000
Sawtooth Elementary, Twin Falls = $3,000

How Bucks for Books Started:

In 2019, the Idaho Lottery learned 28 percent of Idaho elementary schools had a library budget of less than $100 per year for book procurement. In reality, it would take nearly $8,000 every year per school to maintain the library collection students need to succeed. With that in mind, the Idaho Lottery worked with the Idaho Commission for Libraries to start Bucks For Books. Literacy has been a focus of Idaho Governor Brad Little since he took office in 2019. Getting all Idaho students reading at grade level by the third grade is imperative as that is the point where students transition from learning-to-read to reading-to-learn. Having a well-stocked library and the ability for all students to take books home is crucial in getting all Idaho students where they need to be.

How Idaho Public Schools get awards:

We award Bucks for Books awards once a year! Watch for a link here in August to apply to get $1,000 - $3,000 cash awards for your library.