James Patterson and Scholastic Renew Pledge to Help Save School Libraries!
New York, NY— James Patterson will personally donate another $1.75 million to school libraries this year, in the second installment of his School Library Campaign. In partnership with Scholastic Reading Club, the program was launched in 2015 as part of an ongoing effort to keep books and reading a priority for children in the United States. Scholastic Reading Club will administer funding applications to their network of 62,000 schools and 800,000 teachers and will match each dollar with “Bonus Points,” which teachers can use to acquire books and other materials for their classrooms, at every school that receives an award. Applications to nominate a school library for a donation must be submitted by May 31, 2016, and can be found here: www.scholastic.com/pattersonpartnership.
Last year Patterson pledged $1.75 million in grants to school libraries. Of the nearly 28,000 entries received, 467 schools were awarded grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. School libraries across the country used this funding to purchase new books, add bookshelves, make improvements to their catalog systems, and expand their programing. With this second round of donations, Patterson and Scholastic hope to give even more children in America access to books and a functioning school library. Patterson believes that enhancements to school libraries will not only help to foster a love of reading, but will boost academic achievement overall.
James Patterson said, “It was really incredible to see such an overwhelming response to last year’s donations – and to see what school libraries across the country have done to improve and expand their programs with their grant dollars. Libraries are at the heart of every school, and I’m thrilled to be partnering with Scholastic once again to continue to underscore both the need to sustain them, and the vital role reading plays in children’s lives.”
“We love working with James Patterson whose personal commitment to school libraries is awe-inspiring. The powerful combination of Patterson and Scholastic shines a much-needed light on the vital role school libraries play in getting kids to read,” said Judy Newman, President of Scholastic Reading Club, a division of Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education, and media company. “It is a real honor to continue our partnership with Jim to bring attention and resources to the teachers, librarians, and communities working tirelessly every day for our children’s literacy.”
The 2016 program will launch with $1.75 million in grants that will be awarded on a rolling basis throughout the year. Anyone can nominate a school library; donations will range from $1,000 to $10,000 per school. James Patterson and Scholastic Reading Club will accept nominations of all types: for repairs to a computer system, for example, or for a school project focused on books and reading. Patterson hopes that teachers and students will share their experiences in their communities using #pattersonpledge. All funds are being personally donated by James Patterson.
James Patterson
James Patterson received the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community at the 2015 National Book Awards. His other awards include two Emmys, the Edgar Award, and the Children’s Choice Award for Author of the Year. He is a tireless champion of the power of books and reading, exemplified by his new children’s book imprint, JIMMY Patterson, whose mission is simple: We want every kid who finishes a JIMMY Book to say: “PLEASE GIVE ME ANOTHER BOOK.” He has donated more than one million books to students and soldiers and has over four hundred Teacher Education Scholarships at 24 colleges and universities. He has also donated millions to independent bookstores and school libraries. Patterson will be investing proceeds from the sales of JIMMY Patterson Books in pro-reading initiatives. He writes full-time and lives in Florida with his family. www.jamespatterson.com
Scholastic
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books, a leading provider of print and digital instructional materials for pre-K to grade 12, and a producer of educational and entertaining children’s media. The Company creates quality books and ebooks, print and technology-based learning materials and programs, classroom magazines and other products that, in combination, offer schools customized solutions to support children’s learning both at school and at home. The Company also makes quality, affordable books available to all children through school-based book clubs and book fairs. With a 95 year history of service to schools and families, Scholastic continues to carry out its commitment to “Open a World of Possible” for all children. Learn more at www.scholastic.com.
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For Patterson:
Erinn McGrath / 212-364-1181/ Erinn.McGrath[@]hbgusa.com
For Scholastic:
Sara Sinek / 212-343-6899 / ssinek[@]scholastic.com
