Tuscaloosa, Alabama – This March, The School of Library and Information Studies (SLIS) at The University of Alabama will award new children’s and young adult books to school libraries in and around Alabama’s Black Belt region.

The program, called “SLIS Book Bonanza for the Black Belt (and Beyond),” encourages and supports disadvantaged children and teenagers from economically deprived areas by supplying new books for school libraries. Jamie C. Naidoo, Ph.D., professor and director at SLIS awards the books each year.

Since Naidoo launched the program in 2009, SLIS has donated over $230,600 in new books to elementary, middle and high school libraries throughout the state.  

Naidoo encourages school librarians throughout the region to apply. Applications must be submitted no later than midnight on February 26, 2024.

On March 19th, the School will announce the winners. Each selected library will receive over $3,000 in free, new books. Once notified, school librarians will need to coordinate with representatives from SLIS for delivery.

For more information, including application instructions, visit:
http://blackbeltbookbonanza.weebly.com/