Victoria schools to receive $100K for library books through literacy funding program

Two Greater Victoria schools are set to receive a significant boost for their library collections thanks to a new round of funding from the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation.

The foundation announced on Wednesday, June 4th, that it is distributing a record $1.8 million in Literacy Fund Grants to 50 schools across Canada, helping improve access to books and reading resources for nearly 17,000 students.

Among the recipients are Shoreline Community Middle School and Spencer Middle School in Victoria. Shoreline will receive $40,000, while Spencer Middle School will receive $60,000, bringing the total investment in Greater Victoria schools to $100,000.

Rutherford Elementary School in Nanaimo will also receive $25,000. 

In total, six schools across British Columbia will receive $230,000 in funding. The grants are intended to help schools expand, update and diversify their library collections, ensuring students have access to books that reflect a wide range of experiences, cultures, languages and perspectives.

Other BC schools receiving funding include:

• Chief Dan George Middle School in Abbotsford – $60,000
• Mission Hill Elementary School in Vernon – $25,000
• Norgate Xwemélch’stn School in North Vancouver – $20,000

Marci Kenno, a teacher at Shoreline Community Middle School, said the funding comes at an important time as schools continue to face budget pressures.

“This is a really exciting moment for our school to receive such a generous literacy grant,” said Kenno. 

“Having relevant and engaging texts is so important in fostering a love of reading among students, and this funding will make a real difference for our students and across our school.”

According to the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation, many schools across Canada are struggling to maintain current library collections as budgets tighten and librarian positions become less common. 

The organization says some school libraries have outdated resources that no longer reflect the experiences and identities of today’s students.

Since its founding in 2004, the foundation has committed more than $30.4 million to over 500 schools across Canada.

The Literacy Fund Grants are awarded annually to schools identified as having the greatest need for new and updated reading materials.