Here’s what you probably already know about James Patterson:

– He is the beloved author of one hundred and thirty-five for books written for adults, teens, and tweens since 1976.

– He has had nineteen consecutive number one books on the New York Times list of bestselling novels.

– He holds a Guinness World Record for the most number of bestselling hardcover fiction titles with an impressive seventy-six books.

What you may not know, though, is that James Patterson became the new best friend of students across the country when he announced yesterday morning that he was donating $1.25 million to school libraries. His motivation behind this is simple – he wants students to have access to the books, computers, and countless other resources that have been cut from school library budgets. In a recent interview Patterson stated that “we can’t do much as individuals about global warming, but we can really help literacy in our homes and locally. We can volunteer, we can give books to the school library.” His donation of $1.25 million allows him to “shine a light on the problem.”

School librarians, teachers, administration and parents are all able to apply for up to $10,000 in funds for their library by filling in a simple online form. Patterson insisted that the application be simple so that even schools without grant application experience would have an equal chance at the funds. “You don’t have to go before the state board, nobody is grading this thing. I think imagination is useful but need is even more important.”

To make a sweet deal even sweeter, Scholastic Books, one of the largest distributers of children and tween books, has agreed to donate a matching amount of Scholastic Bonus Points to each school awarded a Patterson grant. This will enable school libraries to acquire even more literacy building resources to pass on to its students.

If you’d like to nominate your school, visit the application page at: http://www.scholastic.com/pattersonpartnership/

And, if you’re interested in reading Patterson’s latest novel, NYPD Red 3, (coming out next Monday, 3/16/15) make sure to stop by the library or your online library account to reserve your spot on the waiting list today!