The issue…

For decades, libraries were not considered essential to the teaching and learning process in public elementary and middle schools. All too often, educators saw them as study halls or places to warehouse books. School libraries fell victim to budget cuts. In some high-need districts, they were closed altogether.

The response…

In 1988, The Wallace Foundation launched Library Power to convert large numbers of school libraries into state-of-the-art educational centers to help improve teaching and learning in the nation’s schools.

The strategies…

The Foundation provided Library Power grants totaling more than $40 million, the largest private investment in school libraries in more than 30 years. The grants helped participating schools transform their libraries into places offering meaningful teaching and learning activities. Schools made renovations, purchased books and other materials, and supported professional development for librarians, teachers and administrators.

The accomplishments…

Managed by local education funds, Library Power operated in 19 communities and more than 700 schools. It served as the model upon which the American Library Association based its standards for school libraries. The program directly benefited schools by:

• Revitalizing their library services. Strengthening collections and aligning them more closely with instruction.
•  Supplementing and enriching classroom instruction through library activities.
• Fostering within schools a professional community of administrators, teachers and librarians to collaborate on the planning and delivery of instruction.
• Promoting parental and community involvement in the teaching and learning process.

How to Create a Library Power Program, an evaluation of the National Library Power program published in 1999, captures the knowledge from the program. In June 2002, Christine DeVita was invited to speak at the White House to share the lessons from Library Power as the First Lady began her own initiative.