In the age of screens, author James Patterson thinks fewer children are growing up in households filled with books. He is donating $1.25 million in grants to school libraries to show kids what they’re missing.
“School libraries aren’t high on the list of priorities,” he said. “We have to get our kids reading.”
Patterson is joining forces with Scholastic Reading Club on the initiative. From March 9 to May 31, schools that serve children from pre-K through 12th grade can apply for Patterson’s grants, which will range from $1,000 to $10,000. Scholastic will match every dollar a school is awarded with bonus points that can be redeemed for books, classroom supplies and even iPads.
Teachers, librarians, administrators or parents can nominate a schoolwide library by filling out a form and describing in 300 words or fewer how the library would use the money. The vetting process will include confirming with the school principal that the requested funds would be used for the purpose stated in the application.
Grants will be awarded on a rolling basis through May 2016 or until funds are exhausted. A prior membership in the Scholastic Reading Club is not required for a school to be eligible.
Patterson hopes that improvements in school libraries will inspire kids to bring more books home. He also hopes his donation will encourage others to pitch in.
Known for his adult mystery thrillers like the “Alex Cross” series, Patterson also started writing children’s books after noticing his 8-year-old son wasn’t reading as much as he would like. Patterson’s newest illustrated children’s novel, “Public School Superhero” (Little Brown, $13.99), focuses on a boy in an urban middle school. It publishes March 16.
Libraries played an important part in Patterson’s childhood, and he thinks they would make a great first field trip destination for every classroom.
“Not as a ‘these are the rules of the library’ or as a boring trip, but as a fun trip to show all the joy of the library,” he said. “Books help us understand how other people think. Books broaden us and make us better people.”