A fair deal for schools

Book fairs help funding-strapped school libraries

By Justin Schuver (Contact) | Andalusia Star-News

Published Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Photo by Justin Schuver

Andalusia Elementary School parents and students check out their school’s book fair, held earlier this month.

School classrooms aren’t the only places taking a hit from statewide proration in the education budget. Libraries also have to deal with a considerable lack of state funding.

“This year, I received no library money from the state,” said Opp Elementary School library media specialist Leigh Hall. “It’s been tough for us to add to our collection.”

This week, OES is holding its book fair, which Hall said is a great fund-raiser to help provide the library with a little extra cash and books.

Hall explained the school can use 50 percent of the fair’s profits toward the purchase of library books, or it can use 25 percent of the profits as cash that can be used for any needed purpose.

“We get a little more bang for our buck if we buy books,” she said. “But sometimes we need the cash more.”

Andalusia Elementary School library media specialist Holly Krudop’s school held its book fair the first week in November, and she said the event was a success.

“We had about 30 volunteers who came to help,” she said. “They helped me write receipts, get children from the classes, and offered help wherever they could.”

In addition, Krudop thanked a family who had recently donated money to help the library purchase new books. She also appreciated the Andalusia City Educational Foundation for providing several monetary grant opportunities to the AES teachers and library.

The OES book fair will continue this week; the fair will be open for students on Thursday and Friday, and Thursday night from 5-8 p.m. will be “family fun night” for parents and their children.