North Lamar High School Library Media Specialist Debbie Basden was awarded the Beth Ann Roger Literacy Initiative Grant by the Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) Foundation during Monday night’s school board meeting. Making the presentation was ATPE Foundation representative Rita Long from Mt. Vernon.
North Lamar Library Media Specialist Debbie Basden, center left, accepts a grant to be used in updating resources in the high school library from ATPE Foundation representative Rita Long, center right. Congratulating her on her award are members of the 2012-2013 North Lamar ISD School Board. From left are Paul Drake, Vice-President Bill Coleman, Dave Osborne, Amy Stephens, Basden, Robert White, D.D.S., Long, President Gary Hilliard, and Secretary Brad Perry.
Basden was one of seven from across the state to receive a $1,500 grant. The grants are for the purchase of literacy materials and to modernize literacy resources.
“I would like to be able to offer my patrons, whether they be staff or students, an upgraded and more current collection of books,” said Basden. “Every patron deserves the right to a media center with rich, interesting materials. In a world where print is becoming an endangered species, media specialists need to promote a positive influence on the written word.”
Speaking of the grant, Long says, “The ATPE Foundation recognizes that literacy resources are the building blocks of a successful education, yet many Texas schools are unable to acquire funding to keep these resources up-to-date. Through the Beth Ann Rogers Literacy Initiative Grant Program, the ATPE Foundation provides funding for literacy resources for Texas public school libraries.”
The ATPE Foundation is a charitable non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of public education and the success of Texas schoolchildren through literacy initiatives, technology programs and educator recruitment and retention efforts.
“A smart librarian/media specialist can promote just that influence by providing current, useful materials,” says Basden. “When give a choice between technology and an old or tattered book – which one would you choose?”