The N.H. State Library has been awarded a $70,000 grant by the New Hampshire Department of Education to establish a resource center for the Best Schools Leadership Institute (BSLI), an education improvement program of the department. The resource center will provide reference, outreach and training services, as well as provide for the delivery of books and other materials to institute participants during the coming year.

The BSLI began in 1998 and is based on the six action points for improving education that were developed during Governor Shaheen's 1997 Education Summit. Currently 60 teams from school districts around the state participate in the program. Team members are teachers, school administrators, parents and interested community members. Each team works on a variety of special projects that address one or more of the action points for its school or district. Although this is the second year of the program, this is the first year a dedicated resource center will be in place.

For two weeks in July, the State Library will also staff resource centers in Bartlett and Nashua, where the institute is holding its summer academies. Access to online databases and print materials will be provided by the State Library, while computers, a photocopier, and other equipment will be made available by the Education Department.

Christine Brown, a State Library reference librarian with a background in education will serve as Resource Center Coordinator.