Update Our Library

Do you remember the joy of being a child and walking into a library for the first time? The excitement of finding THE book that would transport you to a fictitious world full of adventure and your favorite characters.  The library is where I fell in love with reading. The library was a beacon for creativity, imagination, innovation, exploration, and so much more. 

Today, it is still a place where students can develop a life-long love for reading. Yet, many schools struggle keeping their book catalogs up-to-date, due to lack of library funding.  Highland Elementary in Columbia Heights, MN is one of these schools and needs YOUR help!  We are raising $5,000 to update the library collection at our school to meet the standards of the American Library Association. 

Recommendations of the American Library Association include:

• All school library media programs should be adequately funded to ensure that they include up-to-date collections in both print and electronic formats.
• The school library program should be integrated with classroom curriculum so that students learn to make connections between subject areas, retrieve information and think independently. 

We need books that are relevant, exciting and level-appropriate for our dynamic students.  A more leveled library will ensure our students become proficient readers and help curtail Minnesota’s education gap between white students and students of colors. 

Why a goal of $6,500?

According to The School Library Journal’s Average Book Prices of 2018, the average cost for a Children’s hardcover title is $18.69 compared to a trade paperback price of $12.06 and a mass market-paperback price of $6.84.  This means the average library book costs 173% more than a paperback.  You can see how quickly these book costs add up. 

With $6,500 we will be able to buy over 320 new books for our school!  My hope is that we will be able to stretch this budget much farther than the average book pricing by partnering with publishing companies to receive discounted rates.

Please help bridge the gap at Highland Elementary by contributing today.  Your contribution will make the difference in our student’s lives. 

A bit more about Columbia Heights:

Highland Elementary is one of three elementary schools in the Columbia Heights School District, north of Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Over 80% of our students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, therefore fundraising is critical for the betterment of our students.

Highland's mission is to ensure a rigorous and relevant education where all learners are valued, positive relationships are developed, and students are prepared for life-long learning.