Target Unveils 16 School Library Makeovers Nationwide
By Rocco Staino -- School Library Journal, 9/22/2009
Thousands of underserved elementary children across the country are returning to their schools this fall to find fully equipped and renovated eco-friendly media centers, thanks to the Target Volunteers School Library Makeover program.
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Kids in New York's Bennington School came back to a new library this fall. |
“Studies show that students benefit from a strong school library media program, and when compared to students without one, score much higher on standardized tests,” says Target, which doubled its number of recipients from eight to 16 this year, awarding more than 2,000 new books, technology, furniture, bookshelves, paint, and carpeting. Eco-friendly designs and construction practices were used in each library renovation, including the use of green certified furniture and the use of recycled materials in all locations.
The program on September 10 unveiled one of 16 extreme library makeovers at New York City’s P.S. 76 Bennington School, which not only doubled the library’s size but also included an original mural by Disney artist Cecilia Washington Carr and another mural created of gumballs by Franz Spohn.
Additional unveilings are scheduled to take place in September and October in cities such as Miami, Atlanta, Cleveland, and Los Angeles.
Each student from the 16 schools will also receive seven new books to add to their home library collections. In
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The Bennington library before the renovation. |
How were the schools chosen? The criteria included the percentage of low-income children and overall need for library improvement. Winning schools must commit to employing a full time librarian, demonstrate that there is a program in place to promote the library’s resources, and have a plan in place for using those new resources in the curriculum.
Angela Halamandaris, founder of Heart of America, along with her husband Bill, says the foundation’s goal is to give children everywhere the tools they need to read, succeed, and make a difference.
In addition to 16 makeovers, many more other libraries will also receive help from Target. This year, more than 1,600 Target stores and distribution centers provided a $500 book award through First Book to a local school of their choice to fund the purchase of books and reading supplies for the fall, just in time to kick-off the new school year.
