Illinois libraries snag grant funds

By Danica Baker
Herald Staff Writer

October 19, 2005 11:39 am

— FULTON, Ill. — The River Bend School District libraries in Fulton and the Odell Public Library in Morrison, Ill., have received state grant money as part of the Library Services and Technology Act.
The two libraries were announced as grant winners Friday by Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White as part of 249 grants totaling nearly $4 million. The grants will help the libraries enhance their collections.
The River Bend School District was awarded a $12,000 “weed and feed” grant for the science and math collections in the elementary, middle and high schools. The idea is to “weed” out older, less used books and “feed” the collection with new titles purchased with grant funds.
Head Librarian Nancy Buikema applied for the grant this summer and was notified earlier this month.
“We are very thrilled that we have received the grant,” Buikema said, “It’s a great benefit for both our students and our teachers.”
Buikema said the selection process has already begun for new books and the school libraries will begin purchasing soon. This is the second year River Bend School libraries have received an LSTA grant. Last year, the school library updated the history and social studies collections.
The Odell Public Library received a $4,000 weed and feed grant for its program, “What’s up with those books?” Library Director Connie Boonstra applied for the grant in July and was notified in the last week of September. Boonstra said the grant allows the library to update the older books in the math, science and health sections.
“Four thousand dollars will buy a lot of books,” Boonstra said. She added this is the first year the Odell Public Library has applied for an LSTA grant, but staff will apply again next year.
Library representatives will attend grant reporting workshops this week. Funds will be disbursed soon thereafter.
The Illinois State Library administers LSTA grants with funds distributed by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. Public, school, academic and special libraries and regional library systems all are eligible to receive the grants.