Caroline in the Schools

Caroline Kennedy’s Fund for Public Schools has garnered $230 million in private donations for New York City schools. Last month, more than 200 local retailers donated a part of their proceeds to city school libraries through Shop for Public Schools.

Shop for Public Schools is specifically for school libraries. How’d that come about?

The retail community came forward with this idea that they wanted to do a promotion. We talked to them about what the money should go for, and I think they felt that literacy is the most important thing.

How can school libraries use these funds?

Libraries apply to us for grants of up to $10,000. The library and the school community has to come together to decide what their priorities are.

Is it possible to duplicate this program in other cities?

I think they easily could. It’s an ideal thing for the private sector to do.

How did you get interested in school libraries?

School libraries are an oasis of exploration and tranquility and curiosity. I always enjoyed it myself, but I think obviously it’s because reading and loving to learn and the discovery that exists in the library are so critical today that it seemed like a natural place for communities to support.