Wes Hickman (202 224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864 250-1417)

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced Bamberg School District 2 will receive a $171,838 grant to improve school library collections. Graham is a member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP) Committee in the U.S. Senate. The funds will be used to implement the Lifelong Learning through Libraries Project at elementary, middle and high schools throughout the district. The first priority of this project is to improve the book collection in each school to meet state and local reading standards. New material will be selected based on standards-based curriculum maps developed by teachers and curriculum specialists. The district will also develop school schedules to accommodate extended school media hours for students, teachers, and the community. “Reading is a vital part in the development of South Carolina’s youth,” said Graham. “This grant will help Bamberg County schools educate tomorrow’s leaders.” The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education. ####