100+ New Children's Books @ NRLD

You may have had trouble seeing the librarians at Newman Regional Library District recently because of all the books piled on the counter.  But that problem has been solved as the youth volunteers and library staff have finally processed the 100+ new books and put them on display for checkout this week.

The library was able to purchase these books because of the fundraising raffle for a Wii game system that was held last summer.  The library raised $1,100 from the raffle and used $350 of it for the matching part of a grant from the Libri Foundation.

The Libri Foundation is a nationwide non-profit organization that donates new, quality children’s books to small, rural public libraries in the United States through its Books For Children program.  The Foundation supports the concept that children who learn to enjoy reading at an early age continue to read throughout their lives.  They need access to books which stretch their imaginations, tough their emotions, and expand their horizons.

The Foundation recognizes that for many children in rural communities, the local public library is their primary source of books, unfortunately, these facilities face increasing financial hardships as budgets are tight while book prices continue to rise.  The Foundation matches funds raised locally at a 2-to-1-ratio.  Thus NRLD received 79 books with a total retail value of $1,409.57.

Part of the donation from the Libri Foundation was $350 worth of math and science books from Hal Berenson & Laura Ackerman.

The rest of the money raised in the raffle was spent on children’s books that are popular with today’s children; however, were not on the list of choices from the Libri Foundation.  These include books by R. L. Stine, Mary Pope Osborne, the Berenstains, and those in the American Girl series.

Librarian, Renee Henry, notes “to celebrate these additions to the library, any child in the summer reading program will automatically earn a free book buck by reading one of the new books.”  Because of the high demand for these books, each child is limited to three at a time.

Library hours are Mon., and Wednesday 1-7 p.m.; Tues., Thurs., Fri. 1-6 p.m. and Sat. 9-Noon.  NRLD is at 108 W. Yates St. in Newman.  Visit our website at www.newmanregionallibrary.org .