James Patterson and Scholastic to Donate $1.25M to School Libraries

New York Times bestselling author James Patterson has partnered with Scholastic Reading Club to donate $1.25 million in grants to K-12 school libraries in the U.S. this year.

Patterson, who grew up in Newburgh, created the James Patterson Pledge to Libraries grant to supplement library funding in the midst of school budget cuts. Through Scholastic, Patterson will be able to reach out to 62,000 schools and 800,000 teachers and offer them a chance to apply for a grant.

The application process, which began March 9 and runs until May 31, asks for nominations from anyone from teachers to parents on behalf of any U.S. K-12 school. Those looking to apply complete the application at Scholastic’s James Patterson Pledge to Libraries official website. Grant amounts range from $1,000 to $10,000 per school; Scholastic will match each dollar donated with “Bonus Points,” which libraries can use to earn books and classroom materials.

Unlike most grant applications, Patterson’s process isn’t deceptively laborious, either. For instance, one section asks “What would your school library do with $1,000-$10,000?” Applicants can easily respond in 300 words or fewer.

The grants can be used for any school library needs, from computer repairs and book purchases, to larger projects designed to promote reading.

If you think a school in the Hudson Valley deserves a chance to improve its library — or if you’re interested in learning more about the program in general — visit Patterson’s application site at www.scholastic.com/pattersonpartnership for more details.