These recommended books are geared not only towards children and young adults but high school students and adults as well.
The grant will also be used to purchase books that have received special recognition from the Coretta Scott King Book Awards, which are given annually to outstanding African-American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African-American culture and human values.
“We are extremely grateful to receive this grant,” said Assistant Library Director Russell Keelin, who wrote and submitted the grant application.
“The funds will enable us to enhance our collection and better serve our patrons and the residents of our community. The children and young adult population of our community will benefit greatly from this grant award and our entire community will ultimately be benefactors by having the resources available to make them more proficient readers, students, and thinkers, which will, in turn, lead to a better prepared, well-educated workforce and better citizenry.”
Every year public libraries across Texas apply to the Texas Book Festival to receive grant funds.
The grants are intended to up-date and increase book collections. This year, the festival is distributing grants up to $2,500 to 34 libraries. Since its founding, it has contributed more than $2.7 million in grants to more than 600 Texas public libraries.
“Our public libraries provide invaluable services that advance the causes of literacy, education and lifelong learning. We are committed to supporting the important work of Texas public libraries,” said Lois Kim, executive director of the Texas Book Festival.
“We are proud that we can continue to help libraries meet the needs of their community,” added Kim.
The Texas Book Festival raises money for the grants from individual, corporate, and foundation sponsorships, annual gala and from book sales at the annual festival.
The 2015 Texas Book Festival is scheduled for October 17 and 18 in Austin.
The Texas Book Festival celebrates authors and their contributions to the culture of literacy, ideas and imagination.
Founded in 1995 by First Lady Laura Bush, Mary Margaret Farabee, and a group of volunteers, the nonprofit Texas Book Festival promotes the joys of reading and writing through its annual festival weekend, one-day Texas Teen Book Festival, the Reading Rock Stars Program, grants to Texas libraries, youth fiction writing contest, and year-round literary programming.
The festival is held on the grounds of the Texas Capitol each fall and features more than 280 renowned authors, panels, book signings, live music, cooking demonstrations and children’s activities.
Thanks to generous donors, sponsors and 1,000 volunteers, the festival remains free and open to the public.
Visit www.texasbookfestival.org for more information or join the conversation using the hashtag #txbookfest on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @texasbookfest.