The holidays are arriving early for independent booksellers and school libraries.
Best-selling author James Patterson, who, earlier this year pledged $1.75 million in grants to school libraries in partnership with Scholastic Reading Club, is offering more money. Today, Patterson announced 340 more grant recipients, bringing the total to 467 school libraries that have received from $1,000 to $10,000. To see a full list which includes David C. Barrow Elementary in Athens and Bagley Middle School in Chatsworth, go to www.scholastic.com/pattersonpartnership/
Meanwhile, he also announced today the names of the 87 independent bookstore employees who will receive bonuses ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. The full list of the recipients is available at www.bookweb.org/james-pattersons-holiday-bonuses-booksellers-2015. The winners include two employees at Little Shop of Stories in Decatur. In October, Patterson launched a $250,000 holiday bonus program for independent bookstore employees in partnership with the American Booksellers Association. The ABA received 2,848 nominations, and Patterson personally selected the winning recipients.
“These grants and bonuses are my humble acknowledgment of some of the terrific work taking place in libraries and bookstores,” Patterson said in a press release. “Here’s to communities supporting their bookstores and libraries. Here’s to a country that makes reading a priority. Here’s to flourishing libraries and booksellers, and to a joyful holiday season!”
Over the past decade, Patterson donated hundreds of thousands of books and millions of dollars to promote reading.
“It continues to be inspiring and motivating to work with James Patterson to support school libraries across the country,” said Judy Newman, president of Scholastic Reading Club, a division of Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education, and media company, in a press release. “Jim’s unwavering commitment to helping children lead better lives rich with books is transformative. Scholastic is thrilled to be working in such an effective partnership.”
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