Several schools around the Black Belt will be getting brand new books in April thanks to the University of Alabama School of Library and Information Studies.
The SLIS Book Bonanza for the Black Belt and Beyond Program is awarding more than $15,000 in books to elementary and high school libraries after getting more than 70 applications in February.
Book Bonanza Black Belt winners are:
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Barbour County Intermediate School, serving grades 2-6 in Barbour County, run by Librarian Mary Siler
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Edgewood Elementary School, serving grades pre-K-6 in Dallas County, run by Librarian Jennifer Hyche
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Reform Elementary School, serving grades K-4 in Pickens County, run by Librarian Ashley Patten
UA SLIS also awarded three Book Bonanza Beyond prizes to low-income schools showing economic need. Those award-winners are:
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Bridgeport Elementary School, serving grades pre-K-4 in Jackson County, run by Librarian Kathy Frizzelle
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Carlisle Elementary School, serving grades pre-K-5 in Etowah County, run by Librarian Heather Grant
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Waterloo High School, serving grades pre-K-12 in Lauderdale County, run by Librarian Stacy Morgan
The Bonanza for the Black Belt & Beyond was originally established in 2009 by Jamie Campbell Naidoo.
SLIS is encouraging all schools to apply again in February 2026 to have a chance at winning next year’s bonanza.
