The Butler Area Senior High School will purchase new books thanks to a nationally renowned author.

After reviewing thousands of proposals, bestselling author, James Patterson personally selected the Butler Senior High School’s library — among others across the nation — to receive a $5000 grant last month.

This was the first time librarian, Kathe Santillo applied for the grant, which is from Patterson and the Scholastic Reading Club.

“I’ve never applied for it, and I thought ‘why not?’” Santillo said. “I was hopeful, but very surprised.”

She will use the money to buy books about world cultures and current events.

“I already have a list put together,” she said.

She believes the additions, which cover popular topics like immigration, terrorism, gun control and domestic violence, will better support the curriculum and serve as valuable sources for students’ graduation projects.

The grant is especially important for the library, as there hasn’t been a budget for books since the 2010-2011 school year, which renders many of its current event books out-of-date. The library has even started selling snacks to raise funds, earning about $2,000 annually in recent years.

“They (students) can’t use the book if it’s older than five years,” Santillo said about some classes.

So while she teaches about the reliability of print resources by stressing the extensive editing process that books undergo, the students have relied heavily on internet-based information.

“I don’t want to see this generation get away from print research,” Santillo said. “When books are current, it helps students see the value of a print source.”

Earlier this year, Patterson and the Scholastic Reading Club announced that author would donate $1.75 million to libraries across the nation, as the second year of the School Library Campaign, which provides grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. Funds are provided entirely by Patterson.

“Last year’s ‘Patterson Pledge’ showed communities nationwide how important school libraries are, but also how gravely desperate they are for books to fill their shelves in the midst of steep budget cuts,” said Judy Newman, president of Scholastic Reading Club, in a press release.

“The amazing outpouring from schools combined with the continued generosity of James Patterson helped us solidify a second year of grants to help more children have access to high-quality books and, ultimately, revive school libraries.”

Additionally, the Scholastic Reading Club promised to match Patterson’s donations through “bonus points,” which a teacher can use for books and other classroom necessities.

Santillo named Michelle Yeager, a Senior High teacher who works with learning support, for these points.

The new books will be kept in a specially created “James Patterson Cultures, Customs, and Community Center,” at the Senior High School’s library.