Cottonwood Elementary - Bucks for Books

This Donation will buy a book for Cottonwood Elementary in Rigby. Their Librarian says "When this school opened we were given the books in the district that no one wanted. We had to get rid of many books because of outdated information. I would like to get some of those resources back but with the updated information. I would also like to be able to buy the current popular titles that the students are requesting. The students would like to read the books that their friends, family, or TV has told them about that we do not have. We need more Spanish books that are the more popular titles as well. The students do not want to read books that look and are as old as the ones in this school. The funds would help me overcome these issues. With your help we could continue to make this library a place that the students would like to be with the books they want and the information that they need."

In 2019, the Idaho Lottery learned 28 percent of Idaho elementary schools had a library budget of less than $100 per year for book procurement. In reality, it would take nearly $8,000 every year per school to maintain the library collection students need to succeed. With that in mind, the Idaho Lottery worked with the Idaho Commission for Libraries to start Bucks For Books. Literacy has been a focus of Idaho Governor Brad Little since he took office in 2019. Getting all Idaho students reading at grade level by the third grade is imperative as that is the point where students transition from learning-to-read to reading-to-learn. Having a well-stocked library and the ability for all students to take books home is crucial in getting all Idaho students where they need to be.