From storytime to six figures: Godlewski presents library  funding check during visit to Crescent School

Before the big check was unveiled and the talk turned to million-dollar trust funds, the future of Wisconsin’s democracy sat cross-legged on a rug at Crescent Elementary School. To celebrate Public School Library Month, Wisconsin Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski visited the Northwoods on April 10, bringing both a lesson in civic engagement and a significant financial boost to local classrooms.
The visit kicked off with an interactive reading session for Crescent’s two kindergarten classes. Godlewski shared the book “Grace for President,” the story of a young girl who decides to run for office after discovering the United States has never had a female president.
The lesson didn’t end with the final page. In a hands-on demonstration of the democratic process, the kindergarteners participated in their own mock election, casting ballots for the characters in the story.
“All children deserve access to a well-resourced school library,” Godlewski said in a press release marking Public School Library Month. “These spaces go beyond supporting academic achievement; they actively drive it. When students have strong library programs available to them, they show up more engaged, more curious, and better prepared to succeed.”
Following the storytime, the Secretary transitioned to her role as Chair of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL) to deliver the “real-world” results of state investment. She presented a check for $207,766 to the School District of Rhinelander. Earlier in the day she presented a check for $101,038 to the Northland Pines School District in Eagle River.

The funds are part of the Common School Fund’s 2026 library aid distribution. For many rural districts, this money is more than just a bonus—it is a lifeline, the release notes. In many cases, it represents the only state funding specifically dedicated to school libraries and media centers.
Under Godlewski’s leadership, the Common School Fund has reached a historic valuation of $1.6 billion. This growth has allowed for a record-breaking $73.5 million distribution statewide this year—a 103% increase since she assumed the chairmanship.
The BCPL generates these funds by providing loans to Wisconsin municipalities and school districts for local projects. The interest from those loans is then funneled directly back into the state’s public school libraries. To date, Godlewski’s tenure has seen more than $678 million directed toward local Wisconsin businesses and infrastructure.
“Growing the Common School Fund during a period of rising costs and tightening budgets is something I’m proud to have been part of,” Godlewski noted. “The need is clear; I see it in schools across the state. This distribution is a direct investment in outcomes, ensuring students everywhere have access to the resources that make learning possible.”