Illinois school libraries to receive $1.3 million in grants

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — School libraries in Rockford, Belvidere, Freeport, Byron, Machesney Park, and others, will benefit from more than $1.3 million in grants awarded by Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias.

Giannoulias announced the annual grants to school libraries on Monday.

“Illinois students deserve to have access to quality library resources, including learning materials, books and online services at our public schools,” Giannoulias said. “Libraries serve as places of knowledge, learning and discovery and this funding will help equip them to educate and inspire our future generations.”

Each school receives 88 cents per student for their enrollment, with funding originating from the General Revenue Fund.

The following local schools will receive funding:

• Belvidere $6,302
• Byron $1,223
• Dakota $850
• DeKalb $5,485
• Freeport $2,734
• Galena $850
• Geneseo $2,078
• Machesney Park (Harlem) $4,935
• Oregon $1,139
• Pecatonica $850
• Polo $850
• Poplar Grove (North Boone) $1,256
• Rochelle Township $850
• Rochelle $1,235
• Rockford $21,904
• Roscoe (Kinnikinnick) $1,444
• Stillman Valley $1,242
• Winnebago $1,054