James Patterson raised his 2015 school library donation to $1.75m, helping 467 US libraries (Image Credit: ALA)
A flood of requests from schools revealed how badly many libraries needed support, prompting bestselling author James Patterson to increase a donation he had originally planned at $1.25 million. In March 2015, Patterson announced the pledge in partnership with Scholastic Reading Club to help US school libraries buy books and improve their resources. The overwhelming response led him to raise the total to $1.75 million, with 467 school libraries eventually receiving grants, according to the American Association of School Librarians (AASL). Patterson announced the initiative on March 9, 2015, working with Scholastic Reading Club to distribute grants to schools across the United States. The programme was designed to make funding accessible to school libraries, with individual grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. The grants were distributed in stages during 2015. In June, Patterson and Scholastic announced the first round of awards, distributing $500,000 among 127 schools. Individual grants ranged from $1,000 to $10,000, while the remaining funds were scheduled for distribution later in the year. The American Association of School Librarians reported in March 2016 that 467 school libraries had received funding through the programme. In March 2016, the AASL selected him as the recipient of its Crystal Apple award, recognising his contribution to school library programmes and students.
The author said he was concerned that fewer children were growing up in homes filled with books. The grants supported books, reading programmes, technology and repairs, according to the organisation. Patterson said his aim was to make books available to children in every neighbourhood and encourage them to become lifelong readers.
The funding could support books, reading programmes, technology and repairs, addressing practical needs that affect how children access reading and learning resources. He believed access to books and functioning school libraries could influence children’s education and encourage a lasting interest in reading. The requests highlighted a range of problems facing school libraries. Schools sought money for new books, shelving, classroom materials and repairs, including damage caused by flooding. Others needed resources to improve the spaces in which students read and studied. The response also gave Patterson and Scholastic an opportunity to draw attention to the challenges schools faced in maintaining well-stocked libraries. The programme was intended not only to distribute grants but also to highlight the importance of access to books and reading resources. Patterson’s support for school libraries was part of a broader effort to encourage reading among children. The organisation noted his financial support as well as his advocacy for librarians and reading.