Students at Woodland Forrest Elementary School are eager to increase their volume of reading with diverse texts.

That’s why Woodland Forrest is committed to creating a strong school by building a strong library. It’s part of the Tuscaloosa City Board of Education members’ ambitious plan to create robust library collections. Currently, TCS libraries fall well below the standard for “exemplary” libraries based on the Alabama Department Education’s benchmarks. Of the system’s 18 libraries, none meet the designation--yet.

The Board’s “Strong Libraries; Strong Schools.” campaign seeks to change that.  State funding ranging from $0 - approximately $1.50 per student per year over the last 10 years have left most school libraries across the state with collections far below the standards for size and average age.

Woodland Forrest values reading deeply and is thankful for board leadership in calling attention to this great need faced by our school library. Although the school has access to digital libraries, this focus on improving the in-school library collection will help boost reading achievement and student enjoyment. 

“My students always look forward to time spent in the library,” said Rachel Hill, 4th grade teacher at Woodland Forrest. "I am making an effort to expose my students to a variety of genres, and it is my hope that this initiative will bring more diverse texts into our building to peak student interest."

Strong Libraries; Strong Schools is a tiered giving campaign with recommended gifts ranging from $20 - $1,000.  In addition, the board is seeking 18 “Champions of Literacy” to make large, one-time donations to name each school library.  Online donations to the campaign can be made at www.tuscaloosacityschools.com/libraries.  More information about the campaign is available by contacting any board member or the Office of Special Programs at 205.759.3722.

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