Today, Buckingham County Primary School was one of 300 schools from 36 states across the country to
receive a $5,000 grant through the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries. This year, the Laura
Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries awarded $1.5 million in library grants this year.
Many of the libraries will use the funds to update and diversify their collections.
“Congratulations to the 2023 Laura Bush Foundation Grant Recipients! I am thrilled that school
librarians across the country will soon be able to update their library collections,” Mrs. Laura Bush said.
Mrs. Denise Bryant, Principal, remarked, “We are so thankful to be a recipient of the Laura Bush
Foundation Grant. Our school librarians have worked hard to carefully select new titles to update our
Carter G. Woodson Education Library collections and we are excited to bring many new selections to our
students and their families this summer!”
Mrs. Bush revealed her 2023 summer reading list, which includes recommendations for young readers
through middle schoolers at the annual Laura Bush Book Club event, as part of the Engage at the Bush
Center series presented by NexPoint, with support from H-E-B. Selections feature books on family,
adventure, and gratitude. The list contains classics like The Little House as well as new releases like The
Loud Librarian, featuring Dallas illustrator, Erika Lynne Jones.
“This year’s summer reading list includes an old favorite, Charlotte’s Web, which I remember reading to
my daughters when they were little,” Mrs. Bush said. “As a former teacher and librarian, I know that the
most important thing parents and caregivers can do for their children is to read to them. So I hope you
bring this list to your local library, and pick out a few books to read with your family this summer. Your
kids will love it, and so will you.”
Grant applications for the 2023-2024 school year will open in late 2023. Visit laurabushfoundation.org to
learn more.
The Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries supports school libraries with the greatest needs with
the goal of encouraging all students to develop a love of reading and learning. Since its inception in
2002, it has awarded $21 million to more than 3,600 schools across the country.
The George W. Bush Institute’s Education and Opportunity work, which houses the Laura Bush
Foundation for America’s Libraries, is generously supported by The Allstate Foundation. The Laura Bush
Foundation is managed as a restricted fund at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, Texas.
More information can be found at laurabushfoundation.org and www.bushcenter.org.
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George W. Bush Institute
The George W. Bush Institute is a solution-oriented nonpartisan policy organization focused on ensuring
opportunity for all, strengthening democracy, and advancing free societies. Housed within the George
W. Bush Presidential Center, the Bush Institute is rooted in compassionate conservative values and
committed to creating positive, meaningful, and lasting change at home and abroad. We utilize our
unique platform and convening power to advance solutions to national and