The IBF is thrilled to announce a $50,000 commitment to the St. Louis Public Schools to provide new, relevant, high-interest literature back to the libraries in the SLPS schools. When the St. Louis Public Schools lost accreditation in 2007, the funding for libraries across the district stopped so focus and resources could be given to other areas. As a result, school library collections are aging, and periodical subscriptions were stagnant. The average collection age for an SLPS middle school is 1995. With the commitment from the IBF, the schools are now able to purchase new books for the first time in many years and the students could not be more excited! The grant is part of the IBF’s continuing commitment to literacy and education in the St. Louis area.