Kander awards grant to JC school libraries

Jefferson City's Public School libraries are getting a $2,000 grant from Secretary of State Jason Kander's office.

Kander announced the award Tuesday, to expand educational resources available to students in the schools' libraries.

"This grant will broaden the range of educational materials available to students, particularly in subjects related to science, technology, engineering and math," Kander said in a news release.

"I'm proud my office is able to increase learning opportunities in the educational areas that will fuel the jobs of the next generation."

The grant is known formally as the "School Nonfiction Collection Development Grant."

It is funded by the Library Services and Technology Act through the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, which is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums.

The grant provides funds to public school libraries, which then purchase materials and services for learning that support science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs.

In the 2015 fiscal year, the Missouri State Library has approved a total of 39 grant applications, distributing $256,750 in federal awards to libraries throughout the state.