Dollar General Literacy Foundation Presents $105,000 in Grants to Rebuild Six School Libraries

Nov 04, 2019

During October, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and American Association of School Librarians (AASL) presented six schools with funds totaling $105,000 from its Beyond Words program. The contributions aim to support school libraries’ rebuilding efforts in the wake of natural disasters. Recent contributions aim to further help libraries recovering from tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding and lightening damage and include:

East Lee County High School in Lehigh Acres, Florida
Bluford STEM Academy in Greensboro, North Carolina
Jinks Middle School in Panama City, Florida
Webbers Falls Public School in Webbers Falls, Oklahoma
Trenton Elementary School in Trenton, North Carolina
Boley Elementary School in West Monroe, Louisiana

The Beyond Words grant program was established in 2006 to provide funding to school libraries affected by disasters. Funding helps schools rebuild, reestablish and/or expand library media programs. Since its inception, the program has awarded more than $2.5 million and directly affected more than 112,000 students in 29 states.

To be eligible for a Beyond Words grant, applicants must be located within 20 miles of a Dollar General store, distribution center or corporate office and must represent public schools serving students in pre-kindergarten through 12^th grade. Eligibility requirements include the library must have either lost its building or incurred substantial damage/hardship due to a natural disaster, fire or act recognized by the federal government as terrorism. Grant applicants must meet one of the two requirements.

For more information or to apply for a Beyond Words grant, visit www.dgliteracy.org.

Bluford STEM Academy

Trenton Elementary School

East Lee County High School

Jinks Middle School

Webbers Middle School

Boley Elementary School