The Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries has awarded more than $1.1 million in library grants to 220 schools across 38 states to help update and diversify book and print collections, the organization announced this week.
The grants are intended to support school libraries with the greatest needs and encourage students to develop lifelong reading habits.
“Libraries help open doors far beyond the classroom, giving children the resources they need to dream, explore, and be bold,” former first lady Laura Bush said in a statement released by The Bush Center. “When we support school libraries, we are encouraging students to be strong readers and lifelong learners.”
This week, Bush visited Henry W. Longfellow Career Exploration Academy in Dallas for the official naming of the school’s new library, the “First Lady Laura Bush Library.” Bush began her career as a second-grade teacher at the former Longfellow Elementary School in 1968.
The announcement coincided with the annual Laura Bush Book Club event, part of the Engage at the Bush Center series presented by NexPoint, where Bush’s 2026 summer reading list was unveiled.
The reading list includes 17 books for young readers through middle school students and is organized around the themes “Freedom to Be Bold,” “Freedom to Dream” and “Freedom to Explore” in recognition of America’s upcoming 250th anniversary.
“This year’s summer reading list celebrates America’s 250th birthday with themes for children of all ages,” Bush said. “I hope parents and grandparents will cherish the time spent reading these titles together as a family. Summer is the perfect season to slow down, snuggle up with a good book, and rediscover the joy of reading.”
The next round of library grant applications for the 2026-27 school year is expected to open later this year.
Since its founding in 2002, the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries has awarded more than $24 million to over 4,200 schools nationwide. The foundation is housed within the George W. Bush Institute and managed as a restricted fund at the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
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