Domestic Excellence

Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries

“Once a child learns to use a library, the doors to learning are always open.”
—Mrs. Laura Bush

View elibigibility and begin an application for library funds

3,000+

Schools have received grants

$17M+

Has been awarded to schools in funds

2

Mrs. Laura Bush's 2021 Summer Reading List for Kids

Recommended reading for youngest, elementary, and middle school readers.
Article • May 17, 2021
2

Mrs. Laura Bush's 2020 Summer Reading List for Kids

Recommended reading for youngest, elementary, and middle school readers.
Article • July 22, 2020
Laura Bush Book Club: A Conversation with Author Michele Harper

Event • November 18, 2020
1

Mrs. Laura Bush's 2019 Summer Reading List for Kids

Recommended reading for elementary and intermediate readers.
Article • July 9, 2019
Laura Bush Book Club with Alexander McCall Smith

We join Alexander McCall Smith, author of the best-selling The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, for the first Laura Bush Book Club event.

Event • November 4, 2019
5

Rebuilding School Libraries in Puerto Rico

Scholastic's Darlene Vazquez recounts the horrific aftermath of Hurricane Maria and shares how the Laura Bush Foundation’s 2017 Disaster Relief grants have benefited school libraries and students.
Article • October 5, 2018
2

Mrs. Laura Bush's Recommended Reading List: Comfort Books
Article • August 2, 2018
1

Mrs. Laura Bush's Recommended Reading List: Intermediate Readers
Article • June 7, 2018
2

Mrs. Laura Bush's Recommended Reading List: Family Reading
Article • May 16, 2018

Providing grants to our Nation's neediest schools so they can extend, update, and diversify the book and print collections in their libraries.

A former librarian and teacher, Mrs. Laura Bush understands that limited financial resources often result in school leaders placing a lower priority on their school libraries.

Studies show that the quality of a school library has a major impact on reading test scores and academic success. Since 2002, the Laura Bush Foundation has awarded more than $17 million to over 3,000 schools across the country.

Expanding and updating libraries in 2020

In May 2021, The Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries awarded more than $1 million in grants to 205 school libraries from 43 states across the country. Inspired by the Laura Bush Foundation, H-E-B surprised 15 Texas-based grant recipients with an additional gift totaling $100,000. Scholastic Books also provided 34 teachers and educators with money to purchase books for their schools and students. Many of the libraries will use the funds to update their collection, offer more dual language titles, and provide books focused on diversity and inclusivity.

REBUILDING LIBRARIES AFFECTED BY 2019 Dallas tornadoes

In November 2020, The Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries awarded the Dallas Education Foundation $500,000 for the direct benefit of Dallas ISD to rebuild from the October 2019 North Dallas tornadoes. Thomas Jefferson High School, Francisco “Pancho” Medrano Junior High School, and Walnut Hill PK-8 used the grants to expand, update, and diversify their library book collections.