Texas Border Business
PHARR – Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD (PSJA ISD) Librarian Linda Martinez was among a group of educators joining a virtual audience for the Kelly Clarkson Show which aired May 18, 2021. The episode celebrating educators features Former First Lady Laura Bush as a guest star for awarding grants from the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries.
Martinez, librarian at Liberty Middle School in Pharr, was invited to be part of the virtual show as a recipient of a $5,000 grant from the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries.
Former First Lady Bush joined Clarkson on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” to announce that the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries awarded more than $1 million in library grants this year. Inspired by the Laura Bush Foundation, H-E-B surprised 15 Texas-based Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries grant recipients with an additional gift totaling $100,000.
“I am so grateful to be awarded this grant for our library,” said Martinez. “Being selected to be part of the show representing my peers at PSJA ISD and campus was such an honor. I look forward to purchasing new book collections for my students to read and enjoy.”
In addition to receiving the grant, Martinez also received 500 books from Scholastic valued at $5,000 and $6,666 from H-E-B for her library.
During the show, Mrs. Bush also revealed her 2021 summer reading list, which includes recommendations for young readers through middle schoolers. Selections highlight books focused on diversity, inclusion and kindness, and the list features a title by the late Beverly Cleary.
“The summer reading list is a great resource for parents and caregivers,” Mrs. Bush said in a press release. “As libraries open back up all over our country, I hope children will take the list to their local library and borrow each of the featured titles. It is so important that all kids keep reading over summer break.”
The Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries supports school libraries with the greatest needs with the goal of encouraging all students to develop a love of reading and learning. Since its inception in 2002, it has awarded more than $16 million to more than 2,800 schools across the country.
“Congratulations to Mrs. Martinez for being a recipient of more than $16,000 for the library,” said PSJA Superintendent Dr. Jorge L. Arredondo. “We thank her, our teachers and all of our librarians for instilling a love of literacy among our students as it is so important for their education and future!”
