The Austin ISD Library Fund continues its mission this year to raise funds for equitable programming in all libraries. Donations are directed towards grants for librarians.
Supporting libraries is seen as an investment in students' futures. Every donation ensures that books remain fresh, relevant, and accessible, helping to engage students and support their learning. Books play a role in shaping students' understanding of themselves and the world.
Alexis Pokorny, Oak Springs Elementary School Librarian, stated, “When you donate to libraries your money goes a long way. You are helping purchase books that are in kids’ hands for decades. It's such a powerful way to make a difference.”
Pokorny has served as a librarian at Oak Springs for six years and received one of the first grants from the Austin ISD Library Fund last year. The grant enabled her to purchase new books to distribute for free to all students at her campus.
This year, Pokorny joined the Austin ISD Library Fund committee to raise awareness about the work librarians do and secure more funding for them. In January, the committee will determine how many grants can be distributed based on donations and other events. The aim is to award up to eight $1,000 grants to elementary and secondary libraries.