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Lemmons lands grant to bolster library at Horton Middle
PITTSBORO — The $2,995.81 headed to Horton Middle School will help Horton media specialist Beryl Lemmons be even more about the business of books.
The Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries provides money to liven up media centers at schools where some students come from living situations that are financially challenged. The namesake of the foundation used to be a school librarian before serving as first lady of the United States. During her time in the White House, Bush said she’d visit schools and notice libraries with barren shelves and out-of-date reference books.
“This grant is only available to Title I schools, and we were one of the few selected,” Horton principal Valencia Toomer said. “Ms. Lemmons spearheaded this initiative to increase our resources in our library.”
“This grant will allow us to buy new materials and help us pursue our goal of encouraging students to develop a love of reading and learning," Lemmons said.
Lemmons could have asked for as much as $7,000, according to the terms of the grant. She insisted on a disciplined approach. That way, Lemmons said, grant evaluators would take her request more seriously.
“I wanted to be very specific," Lemmons explained. "I added up my wish list, and that was the amount."
Lemmons said she’d use the money to establish an e-book shelf. That would allow students to check out digital versions of books that could be read on their mobile devices. Students could borrow e-books along with print versions of all sorts of titles.
"Even if they hadn't returned their library books, they could read these online," Lemmons said.
Bunches of students could simultaneously access a single e-book, which would facilitate classroom instruction. Lemmons said she had both students and teachers in mind when applying for the grant.
Horton was one of eight North Carolina schools to receive money from the Laura Bush Foundation during the recent grant cycle. Nationwide, the foundation awarded at least $930,000 to 160 school libraries in 38 states.
Bush is encouraging students to read every day this summer. Younger students should do some of that reading aloud, she said.
“The former first lady is absolutely right,” Chatham County Schools superintendent Dr. Derrick D. Jordan said. “Summertime is an opportunity for our students to relax. Reading a good book is a phenomenal way to do that.”
Jordan’s big on books. He used to be a high school English teacher.
The Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries provides money to liven up media centers at schools where some students come from living situations that are financially challenged. The namesake of the foundation used to be a school librarian before serving as first lady of the United States. During her time in the White House, Bush said she’d visit schools and notice libraries with barren shelves and out-of-date reference books.
“This grant is only available to Title I schools, and we were one of the few selected,” Horton principal Valencia Toomer said. “Ms. Lemmons spearheaded this initiative to increase our resources in our library.”
“This grant will allow us to buy new materials and help us pursue our goal of encouraging students to develop a love of reading and learning," Lemmons said.
Lemmons could have asked for as much as $7,000, according to the terms of the grant. She insisted on a disciplined approach. That way, Lemmons said, grant evaluators would take her request more seriously.
“I wanted to be very specific," Lemmons explained. "I added up my wish list, and that was the amount."
Lemmons said she’d use the money to establish an e-book shelf. That would allow students to check out digital versions of books that could be read on their mobile devices. Students could borrow e-books along with print versions of all sorts of titles.
"Even if they hadn't returned their library books, they could read these online," Lemmons said.
Bunches of students could simultaneously access a single e-book, which would facilitate classroom instruction. Lemmons said she had both students and teachers in mind when applying for the grant.
Horton was one of eight North Carolina schools to receive money from the Laura Bush Foundation during the recent grant cycle. Nationwide, the foundation awarded at least $930,000 to 160 school libraries in 38 states.
Bush is encouraging students to read every day this summer. Younger students should do some of that reading aloud, she said.
“The former first lady is absolutely right,” Chatham County Schools superintendent Dr. Derrick D. Jordan said. “Summertime is an opportunity for our students to relax. Reading a good book is a phenomenal way to do that.”
Jordan’s big on books. He used to be a high school English teacher.
Published May 24, 2017