14 schools get funds for libraries

Fourteen school libraries in Salt Lake City will be opened to the public starting this fall, thanks to a nearly $200,000 Improving Literacy Through School Libraries federal grant.

Title I schools will be splitting the money and using it to purchase new books, extend library hours after school and invite parents and communities to use the facilities.

"This is one of the most exciting things that has happened to school libraries in a long time," said Lesley McLaughlin, curriculum director for Salt Lake City School District. "To be able to open them up to the community — they are such wonderful resources, and I am so excited for the possibilities for our kids and their families."

District spokesman Jason Olsen said the schools originally were designed so the media centers were separated from the classrooms and could be opened after school while allowing other parts of the school to be locked. But because of the cost of staff and utilities, they haven't been used that way.

The federal grant was created to help schools improve their library media and to address the reading and other literacy challenges of their students.

"It is going to allow for at least six hours a week of extended library time not during the school day so we can invite parents in, they can come check books out, have library cards, bring their preschoolers, do some literacy activities with them," McLaughlin said. "It's one more way to help them come into the schools and be part of the community."

In many of Salt Lake City's Title I schools, students and families deal with language barriers — and some aren't familiar with the system.

"Some don't have a public library close to them, nor do they want to go into them," McLaughlin said. "Some don't speak English, they are overwhelmed or they don't have transportation."

She said the school libraries are much more nonthreatening. They are part of the community, smaller and are more familiar to most parents.

The schools will use a portion of the grant money to purchase more bilingual books for those who are learning English. Salt Lake District librarians are also certified teachers who will be running literacy programs during those hours as well, teaching parents how to help their children.

McLaughlin said inviting families to the libraries could get parents more involved with the school — something many west-side schools struggle with.

"It's an easy way to get them more involved in the schools and maybe a way to get them involved in other things," she said.

The grant covers 12 elementary schools as well as Glendale and Northwest middle schools.

Salt Lake City School District is one of 78 districts receiving the grant this yearr. A total of $19 million will be awarded to 26 states.

---

E-mail: terickson@desnews.com