Laura Bush Foundation for America's 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 have shown that the quality of a school library has a major impact on reading test scores and academic success of children.  All of the elements for a good library are needed to positively affect academic achievement, such as adequate staffing, technology, and the quality of the print collection, including the date and quantity of the books.

Rebuilding Libraries Affected by 2017 Natural Disasters

After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries awarded grants of $10,000 to $75,000 to school libraries whose collections were damaged or destroyed in the hurricanes. Most recently, after the devastation we have seen from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria as well the California wildfires, we are again dedicating our resources to disaster-affected schools to rebuild their book collections.