^{Courtesy: Clear Creek ISD}

LEAGUE CITY — A library book with pages falling out has led to a $100,000 investment in student reading across Clear Creek ISD.

Longtime community member Greg Strickler donated $100,000 to the district Aug. 5 to support library collections at CCISD’s intermediate schools, expanding an effort that began after his granddaughter brought home a worn book from her school library.

Strickler’s granddaughter, Olivia, is a student in CCISD’s WAVE program. When she was in sixth grade, she brought her grandfather a library book to read, and its deteriorating condition caught his attention.

“The pages were literally falling out of the book,” Strickler said.

Strickler contacted the school’s librarian and received a list of books that needed to be replaced. He purchased new copies and, the following year, worked directly with the librarian to provide funding that allowed the school to purchase books through its established system.

The experience eventually prompted Strickler to consider whether libraries at other intermediate schools were facing similar needs.

“I thought that the other intermediate schools probably have similar needs,” Strickler said.

Working with CCISD over the summer, Strickler developed a plan to provide $100,000 for intermediate school libraries throughout the district. The donation was also planned as a surprise for librarians as they returned for the new school year.

“I think reading is too important to leave to chance and small budgets, and we all know reading early is critical,” Strickler said. “I’m just trying to make my early investments pay off in meaningful ways.”

Strickler’s ties to Clear Creek ISD span nearly five decades. A Clear Lake resident since 1978, he raised five children who attended CCISD schools from kindergarten through high school. His granddaughter now continues the family’s connection to the district.

Superintendent Karen Engle said the donation will put new books into the hands of students throughout CCISD.

“A well-loved book sparked an idea that will now put new books into the hands of students across our district,” Engle said. “We are incredibly grateful that he saw a need and chose to turn it into an opportunity for thousands of children.”