TOPEKA, March 22, 2021–Every March, the Kansas Book Festival grants $10,000 to Kansas libraries seeking to improve their book holdings or technology.  This year’s grants, just released, will assist 11 public or school libraries across the state, from Midland Trail Elementary Library near the heart of downtown Kansas City all the way to the Greeley County Library in far western Kansas (see photo of staff above).   

The needs vary.  In Peabody, 45 miles north of Wichita, a $750 grant will go toward books that help children from impoverished or dysfunctional homes to deal with related trauma.   Rodger Charles, the Director of the Peabody Township Library, is collaborating with local school counselors and teachers so that they have timely access to resources that can help children who are at risk.

By contrast, Michelle Davis, the Librarian at Oak Grove Elementary Library in Kansas City, deals with a student population that is 29% bilingual, but she says, “Currently, our library has 19 bilingual books out of a total of 13,399 books, meaning 0.14% of our books are bilingual.”  To improve the situation, Davis will use the $750 grant from Kansas Book Festival to purchase books that combine English with languages such as Burmese, Serbian, and Spanish.  She is enthused to help struggling minority students grasp concepts and language skills more quickly. 

Some of the annual Festival grants go to technology instead of books.  As Darci Hildebrand, Director of the Wamego Public Library, explains, “The effects of the pandemic have pushed many into isolation in a way that once seemed unfathomable.  It has become evident that technology is no longer just a luxury but a necessity.”  Because of this growing need, Hildebrand plans to use the $800 grant from the Kansas Book Festival for purchasing stands, microphones, lighting equipment, and a portable Green Screen that can be used with a tablet or iPad to Zoom and livestream events for library patrons at home. 

The Kansas Book Festival grant program, which was begun by former First Lady Mary Brownback when she brought the Festival to Topeka, has been maintained for a decade.  To date, $95,000 have been given to Kansas libraries, which will be celebrated at the 10^th Anniversary of the Festival on September 18, when it takes place on the grounds of Washburn University in Topeka. 

The full alphabetical list of 2021 library grantees is as follows: Elemendaro Township Library ($1000), Greeley County Library ($1200), Kiowa County Library ($750), La Crosse Middle and High School Library ($600), La Cygne Public Library ($1800), Midland Trail Elementary Library ($750), Oak Grove Elementary Library ($750), Peabody Township Library ($750), S.E. of Saline Elementary and Secondary Libraries ($950), Wamego Public Library ($800), and Wilson Schools Library ($650).