Federal Grant Opportunity

Name: Improving Literacy Through School Libraries Program

Administering Office: U.S. Department of Education, OESE

Program Description: The Literacy through School Libraries program helps local education agencies (LEAs) improve reading achievement by providing students with increased access to up-to-date school library materials including well-equipped, technologically advanced school library media centers and professionally certified school library media specialists. LEAs use their funds to:

1. acquire up-to-date school library media resources;
2. acquire and use advanced technology to develop and enhance the information literacy, information retrieval and critical thinking skills of students;
3. facilitate Internet links and other resource-sharing networks;
4. provide professional development for school library media specialists and provide activities that foster increased collaboration between school library media specialists, teachers, and administrators; and
5. provide students with access to school libraries during non-school hours.

Deadline: The Request for Proposal (RFP) is scheduled to be released on March 5, 2004 with a grant deadline of April 19, 2004.

Contact: Margaret McNeely
U.S. Department of Education, OESE
Academic Improvement and Teacher Quality Programs
400 Maryland, Ave. S.W., Rm. 5C130, FB-6
Washington, DC 20202-6100
Telephone: (202) 260-1335
Fax: (202) 260-8969
Email: margaret.mcneely@ed.gov

Application: The 2004 Request for Proposal (RFP) is not yet available; however please go to
http://www.ed.gov/programs/lsl/applicant.html to view the 2003 RFP.

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Reminder: Grant Application Deadlines

Public Charter Schools - February 19

Teaching American History - March 2

DC School Choice Incentive - March 5

Magnet Schools Assistance - March 15