Each fall the Idaho Lottery collaboratively partners with the Idaho Commission for Libraries on a campaign to improve early education literacy. In its first three years, through Bucks for Books, the Idaho Lottery has awarded 89 elementary schools a total of $225,000 for new book acquisitions. Click here to learn more
FEATURED STORY:
Donald D. Stalker Elementary
Donald D. Stalker Elementary library serves 269 students ranging from K-5th grades and special education students that are in self-contained classrooms. Stalker Elementary is a school that is CEP qualified and serves 100% free breakfast and lunch to all students. We are considered one of the most diverse school populations within the state. Due to our high population of economically disadvantaged students, many do not have reading materials accessible in their homes. Students who are in walking distance from the school, are more than willing to come early or stay after school to visit the library and check out books. We know students would utilize the library more if there were more books. This grant will allow us to have the additional resources to aid in purchasing newly published books in both fiction and non-fiction genres. Such a selection would appeal to all of our students and assist in meeting their reading needs. It is critical to provide the resources necessary for reading practice and to make available books that would facilitate families, staff, and students participation.
Here are the 19 schools across Idaho who received a Bucks for Books award in 2022. Check them out below:
| North Idaho: Priest Lake Elementary, Priest Lake = $2,000 Ramsey Magnet School of Science, Coeur d'Alene = $2,000 Southside Elementary, Cocolalla = $2,000 |
Palouse Area: Kamiah Elementary, Kamiah = $3,000 Webster Elementary, Lewiston = $3,000 |
| East Idaho: Bridgewater Elementary, Idaho Falls = $3,000 Donald Stalker Elementary, Blackfoot = $3,000 Theresa Bunker Elementary, Idaho Falls = $2,000 |
Southeast Idaho: Bellevue Elementary, Bellevue = $3,000 Monticello Montessori, Ammon = $3,000 Pioneer Elementary, Preston = $3,000 |
| Southwest Idaho:
Frontier Elementary, Boise = $3,000 |
South Central Idaho: Kimberly Elementary, Kimberly = $3,000 |
The application period for 2023 is open! Click here to apply.
How Bucks for Books Started:
In 2019, the Idaho Lottery learned 28 percent of Idaho elementary schools had a library budget of less than $100 per year for book procurement. In reality, it would take nearly $8,000 every year per school to maintain the library collection students need to succeed. With that in mind, the Idaho Lottery worked with the Idaho Commission for Libraries to start Bucks For Books. Literacy has been a focus of Idaho Governor Brad Little since he took office in 2019. Getting all Idaho students reading at grade level by the third grade is imperative as that is the point where students transition from learning-to-read to reading-to-learn. Having a well-stocked library and the ability for all students to take books home is crucial in getting all Idaho students where they need to be.
How Idaho Public Schools get awards:
We award Bucks for Books awards once a year! Watch for a link here in August to apply to get $1,000 - $3,000 cash awards for your library.
