Ossining, NY — December 5, 2008 — Assemblywoman Sandy Galef today met with students from Claremont Elementary School to celebrate the benefits of school libraries and to speak about the connection between libraries, literacy and student achievement. As part of the event, Scholastic (NASDAQ: SCHL), the global children’s publishing, education and media company, donated books to the school’s library and to students’ home libraries. Claremont Elementary students participated in the event, were recognized for their tremendous achievements in reading, and shared with the Assemblywoman some of their favorite books.

Studies from across the country have found a connection between school libraries staffed with qualified school library media specialists and filled with appropriate books and resources, and student achievement. When library media specialists work with teachers to support learning opportunities with books, digital resources, and more, students learn more, get better grades, and score higher on standardized test scores than their peers in schools without good libraries.

"This event highlights the critical importance that a well-stocked school library contributes to the success of our students and the levels of literacy in our schools," said Assemblywoman Sandy Galef, D-Ossining. "Studies have shown that school libraries are critical to children's academic achievement, and I am very grateful to Scholastic for making this generous donation to Ossining's Claremont Elementary School."

"Given the state's fiscal climate, the limited resources available to improve student academic achievement should be targeted to where they have the most impact and have proven results," said Michael J. Borges, Executive Director of the New York Library Association. "Twenty different state studies have demonstrated that school libraries stocked with up to date reading materials and staffed by certified school librarians have a positive impact on student academic achievement. That is why we believe school districts should be explicitly allowed to use Contracts for Excellence (C4E) funds and other education funding for school libraries."

"When qualified school library media specialists partner with teachers to enhance learning outcomes via 21st Century learning skills and standards, and when they provide access to quality books, technology and research tools, students do better, and become more avid, engaged learners. This cuts across socio-economic levels," said Evan St. Lifer, Vice President of the Scholastic Classroom and Library Group. "We’re thrilled to team up with Assemblywoman Galef and the New York Library Association today, and to make a donation of books that can be added to the Claremont Elementary School library and to students' libraries at home."

For more information, read School Libraries Work!, a compendium of research published by Scholastic.

Contacts:

Scholastic Tyler Reed 212-343-6427 treed@scholastic.com Office of Assemblywoman Galef Dana Levenberg 914-941-1111