WASHINGTON, D.C –July 20, 2006 – U.S. Representative Ron Lewis (KY-02) announced this week that the Hart County Public School System has been awarded $297,148 in federal funds to improve student reading achievement. The grant, awarded by the Literacy and School Libraries Program of the U.S. Department of Education, will be used to support the library services initiatives of the Hart County School District’s Helping All Readers Thrive by Engaging Actively with Technology (HARTBEAT) project.

“I congratulate the Hart County Public Schools for receiving this honor,” said Lewis. “It’s important that we provide students will all the resources they need to learn and succeed. This grant will significantly increase library services in Hart County, promoting the reading skills and academic success of hundreds of students.”

The HARTBEAT Project will apply awarded funds to increase student and family access to library facilities. Among other the things, funding will be used to extend library hours, update collections, implement a web-based catalog, employ professionally certified media specialists, and plan meaningful literacy activities.

The grant will also advance media center technology at the school library by providing updated workstations and laptops and securing licenses for selected online resources.

The library services initiatives resulting from the grant will place particular emphasis on Pre-K through 8^th grade students throughout the county.

###