Ohio libraries to receive grant funds to support student learning

Ohio libraries are set to receive $5 million through the Ohio Department of Education for expanded learning and literacy efforts.

The ODE is distributing federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds “to further the strategies of Future Forward Ohio,” a state program implemented “to help students recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The grants are awarded through the Libraries Accelerating Learning program, serving pre-K through 12th grade students through tutoring, summer reading and community learning programs, according to the ODE.

“Libraries can play a critical role in accelerating learning, including helping students read, providing hands-on learning opportunities and encouraging students to explore careers,” said Stephanie Siddens, interim superintendent of public instruction for the ODE, in a statement.

The Ohio Library Council said the funds “will help Ohio’s public libraries continue and expand the work they are already doing to help students overcome the learning loss.”