Five years ago, a simple conversation between a Lake Washington Schools Foundation board member and a Lake Washington School District librarian sparked an idea: what if every student could open a book and find something that resonates with their own life or introduces them to someone else’s?
That idea grew into the Inclusive Libraries grant, a $180,000 investment that has funded the purchase of more than 6,500 books, reaching 28,834 students across 46 schools in the Lake Washington School District by the end of this school year.
Through this commitment, LWSF has expanded library collections across the district, giving students access to a broader range of stories and perspectives.
Where It Began: Building Community Through Representation
At Benjamin Franklin Elementary School, one of the first schools to benefit from the grant, the impact was immediate.
With LWSF’s funding support, Teacher-Librarian Leann Clawson added more than 100 new titles to better represent her school community. That work was guided by a thoughtful audit of the collection, helping identify opportunities to expand representation in ways that better align with the students she serves.
Students quickly gravitated toward books like Eyes That Speak to the Stars, The Gift of Ramadan, and Once Upon an Eid, drawn to stories that explore identity, culture, and family traditions.
The collection also grew to include bilingual and dual-language books in Mandarin, Hindi, and Telugu, along with titles that highlight non-Western holidays, broadening both access and perspective.
“The ability to purchase books that reflect our students is important in building community and allowing students to see beyond themselves,” she shared.
The books didn’t sit on the shelves for long.
“These books have already generated excitement for reading and sparked conversations… leading to a deeper understanding for each other.”
That early moment set the tone for what Inclusive Libraries would become.
Expanding Collections to Support Learning
As the grant expanded, librarians across the district began thoughtfully building on their collections, identifying opportunities to bring in new voices, perspectives, and experiences that reflect their school communities.
At Redmond High School, the Inclusive Libraries grant helped expand access to books that connect with the interests and real-world questions high school students are exploring today.
“We’re building a collection that reflects our students’ strengths and helps them see their place in a larger community,” said Teacher-Librarian Camilla Schulte.
The collection includes a wide range of titles, from contemporary works like Somewhere We Are Human and Heartstopper to nonfiction such as How to Be an Antiracist and Black Journey in Tech.
The library also added Spanish-language and bilingual editions of popular and classic texts, including Fahrenheit 451, The Lord of the Rings, and The Poet X, helping more students engage with literature in ways that feel accessible and meaningful.
Small Moments, Lasting Impact
Sometimes, the impact of a single book is profound.
At Kamiakin Middle School, one student’s connection to a story became a quiet reminder of why this work matters. After discovering Isla to Island, a story about a young girl immigrating to the United States, the student returned to it again and again, checking it out multiple times. The story reflected her own family’s journey, offering a connection that stayed with her beyond a single read.
“I believe the story connected with this young girl in a way nothing else had,” Teacher-Librarian Cindy Simon shared. “It helped her through a difficult time in her life. I am so thankful to LWSF for providing funding for diverse books in our libraries. They are making a difference in students’ lives every day.”
What You Made Possible
Over the past five years, this districtwide initiative has been brought to life across schools, powered by community support and a shared belief that every student deserves to belong.
Together, donors, educators, and school communities have helped create libraries that:
- Reflected the diversity of our students
- Spark curiosity and conversation
- Build empathy and understanding
- Inspire a lifelong love of reading
The Work and Impact Continues
While this five-year milestone marks an important chapter, the work doesn’t stop here. As our communities continue to grow and evolve, so too must the stories we share with students.
As Maya Shimokura-Lee, student at Lake Washington High School, shared at LWSF’s recent spring benefit:
“The impact of this grant continues every time a student finds a book that helps them feel connected, understood, or inspired.”
Because every child deserves to open a book and think: This story includes me.
