BISMARCK, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Seventeen libraries and schools across North Dakota have been awarded a total of $255,000 in grants to support local summer reading programs, North Dakota School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler announced.

The grants, which ranged from $10,000 to $20,000, were funded through federal pandemic relief money. The funding helped cover a wide range of activities aimed at encouraging young people to engage in regular reading throughout the summer months.

“Regular reading is essential for our young people to develop general literacy skills, along with the ability to think critically and analyze material that is important to daily life,” Baesler said. “I was pleased that all 17 libraries and schools that applied for grant assistance were able to receive a share of the funds that were available.”

The grant recipients used the funds to create innovative reading programs and activities. For example, the Beulah Public Library organized events with local authors, allowing students to learn about the writing process firsthand, and implemented a “road map challenge” that encouraged students to visit various libraries in the area. The library also introduced “Maker Mondays,” where students used task cards and materials from a supply cart to build items.

In Cando, a “breakfast book club” was established alongside weekly reading goal activities. The Washburn Public Library reported that students filled out over 200 reading logs and completed 18 “book bingo” cards, which could be redeemed for entry passes to the North Dakota Gateway to Science in Bismarck.

Other innovative programs included Napoleon’s story times for younger students and STEM activities for older students, and Bowman’s “summer reading adventure,” which provided participants with a backpack containing supplies such as a reading journal and a book of their choosing.

Grants were distributed as follows: The Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library, Carrington City Library, Dickinson Area Public Library, Grand Forks Public Library, Lake Region Public Library, and Morton Mandan Public Library each received $20,000. The Beulah Public Library, Cando Community Library, Divide County Public Library, Leach Public Library, and Williston Community Library each received $15,000. The Bowman Regional Public Library, Mayville Public Library, Napoleon Public Library, New Town City Library, Oakes Public School, and Washburn Public Library each received $10,000.