Ashland PTO Library Campaign
In 2004 the Ashland K-8 PTO Board of Directors voted to target major fundraising for the libraries at the Pittaway, Warren, Mindess and Middle schools. The two-year campaign resulted in hundreds of new books in the hands of our children, and a renewed interest in and awareness of our school libraries.
During the first year of the campaign the PTO allocated $15,000 to the Middle School, $5000 to Mindess, and $4000 to Warren plus an additional $1500 to address changing curriculum requirements mandated by the state. In addition, $1500 was allocated to Pittaway, with another $200 awarded to the Pittaway Literacy Specialist. The larger endowment at the Middle School addressed the decreased size of the collection there, due to the move of many items to the library at the new High School.
The 2nd year of the campaign was more of a collaborative effort with school-based fundraisers and private donations combined with PTO allocations. The Middle School was awarded $10,000 to continue library development and to address the addition of 6th grade students to the school. A $1000 matching grant was put into place, where the Middle School was challenged to raise funds, and the PTO matched those funds dollar for dollar up to $1000. Private donations enabled the Middle School to receive an additional $1003 for expansion of their library collection.
The Mindess School was awarded $5000 to build its 3rd grade collection in anticipation of the entire 3rd grade moving to Mindess. They were also awarded a $1000 matching grant and $465 in private donations. At Warren, the library effort received a $1000 matching grant, $722 in private donations and a $200 Literacy Empowerment grant. The Pittaway school was awarded a $1000 matching grant, $225 in private donations and a $600 Literacy Empowerment grant. An award of $800 was also made to the English Language Learner program.
The PTO Library Campaign resulted in many personal donations of new and used books to our libraries. Gifts of books were made to the libraries in honor of and in memory of friends, family and teachers. We thank the entire town of Ashland for their participation in our effort to help renew and restore our schools' library collections.
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