California Area School District: Grant will upgrade high school library

By CHRISTINE HAINES

chaines@yourmvi.com

As a former English teacher, books hold a special place in Dr. Laura Jacob’s heart, but she knows libraries need to be more than a place to hold books if they are to be engaging.

The California Area School District superintendent has received a $10,000 grant through the State Farm Good Neighbor program to update the high school library. Jacob was tipped off to the grant program by local State Farm agent Dax Thomas.

“As the local State Farm agent in a small town like California, I try to support as many activities as possible,” he said. “As an individual, I can only do so much. As a corporation, State Farm is able to do more.”

Thomas said the Good Neighbor grants are given out once a year to local nonprofit organizations for activities such as education and safety. The minimum grant is $5,000. 

Thomas brought the program to Jacob’s attention, but said he has no role in which organizations receive funding. The district learned in December that the grant application had been successful.

“We’re going to redo the high school library,” Jacob said. “The $10,000 won’t cover all of it but it will at least cover the lighting.”

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