NEW YORK -- James Patterson is ready to launch another season of giving.

The author and literary philanthropist told The Associated Press on Tuesday that for a second year he's donating $1.75 million to the country's school libraries.

Patterson's School Library Campaign, in partnership with Scholastic Reading Club, gave hundreds of schools grants in 2015, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.

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Applications for this year can be found on www.scholastic.com/pattersonpartnership. They must be submitted by May 31. Requests can be for anything from fixing computers to a school book program.

Patterson, who received an honorary National Book Award last year for his contributions to the literary community, has also given away millions to independent bookstores and to literacy programs. He emphasized in a statement "the vital role reading plays in children's lives."