2011 has been a great year for Library Build, Inc, and we want to thank everyone who has volunteered, served on the board, followed up with me on emails when I never respond (oops), donated, and helped out in so many ways! Thank you!
Here's a quick run-down of our successes this year, hopefully I won't leave any out!:
- Received a seed grant from the Weinberg Foundation
- Began a partnership with William Rowen School
- Met with the principal of the Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush in hopes of a partnership for 2012
- Had our first site visit from a grant-giving foundation
- Received publicity from The Philadelphia Inquirer
- Received a donation from the Nickels for Nonprofits program of Whole Foods Callowhill
- Collected over 300 books from a book drive at Whole Foods Callowhill, and from our friends at the Oak Lane Branch of the Free Library
- Recruited and worked with new board members who are planning some exciting things in 2012 - keep an eye out!
- Held a book fair at Barnes and Noble in Philadelphia, and received over $400 just from gift wrapping donations!
- Received a grant from the Samuel S. Fels Fund
- Over 170 hours volunteered to Library Build in 2011, and more to come in 2012!
Thanks to everyone for your support!
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
Success!
Wow - its already Friday! Where did the week go?
We had three successful gift-wrapping days, and made more than $400 dollars in donations!
A special thanks to everyone who came out and volunteered for Library Build:
Alpha Phi Omega @ UPenn
W Girls
Ty Gambrell
Megan Trainer
Theo Thompson
Kathy Barnes
Lisa Doi
Karinn Figdore
Karen Bloemker
If I forgot someone, please let me know!!
Also, you have one more day to shop online at Barnes and Noble in support of Library Build! Just use code 10570174
Thanks for everyone's support, and get ready for MLK Day of Service!!
We had three successful gift-wrapping days, and made more than $400 dollars in donations!
A special thanks to everyone who came out and volunteered for Library Build:
Alpha Phi Omega @ UPenn
W Girls
Ty Gambrell
Megan Trainer
Theo Thompson
Kathy Barnes
Lisa Doi
Karinn Figdore
Karen Bloemker
If I forgot someone, please let me know!!
Also, you have one more day to shop online at Barnes and Noble in support of Library Build! Just use code 10570174
Thanks for everyone's support, and get ready for MLK Day of Service!!
Labels:
Barnes and Noble,
Board of Directors,
book fair,
libraries,
Library Build,
MLK Day
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
More thoughts from the third grade
"I love to read books because I can learn more. When I learn more I can get an education. When I get an education, I can go to college!!"
- A, 3rd grader at Rowen School
- A, 3rd grader at Rowen School
Monday, December 12, 2011
Why Rowen students love books
Straight from the kids at Rowen (a third grade class):
"I love to read because some books are easy and some are funny, and that is why I like books."
"I like to read because the more you read, the smarter you become. And I love books because you learn a lesson in some stories."
"I love to read because it is so fun to read. So if you are taking a break, you can read."
"I love to read because it gives me knowledge, and it helps me learn how to pronounce words that I don't know."
(I might have helped out with the spelling!)
"I love to read because some books are easy and some are funny, and that is why I like books."
"I like to read because the more you read, the smarter you become. And I love books because you learn a lesson in some stories."
"I love to read because it is so fun to read. So if you are taking a break, you can read."
"I love to read because it gives me knowledge, and it helps me learn how to pronounce words that I don't know."
(I might have helped out with the spelling!)
Book Fair Starts Today!!
The Barnes and Noble book fair starts today and goes until Saturday, December 17!!!
You can shop online or in any Barnes and Noble store in the country - use our Library Build code: 10570174
Start shopping!!
You can shop online or in any Barnes and Noble store in the country - use our Library Build code: 10570174
Start shopping!!
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Books and their Impact
When I tell people about Library Build and our mission, I often get push back from those who believe in the almighty power of new technology.
While I agree that technology can provide our students, (not to mention adults) with access to ready information, and I similarly understand the appeal of the E-reader and the ability to take multiple books at a time with you at all times, there is still a need for books.
Thats right. Just a book.
No buttons or lights, no batteries.
I was at Rowen yesterday for some meetings, and just in general, to work with the teachers there. This week at Rowen was their Scholastic Book Fair. The kids were pumped. They had an assembly about the power of reading. While a man on the stage shouted, "we read books" the kids excitedly answered, "WE READ BOOKS!!". It was fun to watch. (Now, yes, they were excited because they were having an assembly on a Friday afternoon and were thus, out of class. I know, I was a teacher! But, the message of the assembly, and their excitement was a powerful one).
Meanwhile, during the assembly, parents were pouring in to the school asking if the book fair was still open so that they could buy some books for their kids.
Books have power. They transport kids one story at a time to other places. Books, unlike movies, give kids the power to imagine their own stories and visuals, to be creative.
Here's my story about books (and obviously there weren't E-readers back then.... )
When I was in the first grade, I hated reading. I got a C in phonics (yes, phonics), and I thought it was the most unnecessary subject ever. For the record, I also hated math and could not figure out how 5:05 and 5:50 on a clock differed - really, I was kind of dull.
For the next few years I fought reading. But when I entered the fourth grade, something happened. My teacher announced a reading competition. The winner each week was the one who had read the most pages (as signed off by the parents). I didn't like reading very much - but I was not going to let Brittany win. No. Way.
So I started reading. And what really got me going was that same fourth grade teacher taking the time every day after lunch to read to our class from "Where the Red Fern Grows". I got so angry that she would only read a few pages a day that I went to the library and checked it out so that I could just finish it already.
The rest of the year, Brittany and I traded back and forth on who won. We both tried out a variety of strategies. She believed that reading multiple books at a time worked best, while I believed that just focusing all of my attention on one at a time was the best.
By the end of the year, I liked reading. No, I loved reading. I didn't stop. And I haven't stopped since then.
This is what kids today need. They need a teacher to interest them in a book. They need a school library where they can easily go find the book that might change their life.
Which is why I believe in the power of school libraries.
While I agree that technology can provide our students, (not to mention adults) with access to ready information, and I similarly understand the appeal of the E-reader and the ability to take multiple books at a time with you at all times, there is still a need for books.
Thats right. Just a book.
No buttons or lights, no batteries.
I was at Rowen yesterday for some meetings, and just in general, to work with the teachers there. This week at Rowen was their Scholastic Book Fair. The kids were pumped. They had an assembly about the power of reading. While a man on the stage shouted, "we read books" the kids excitedly answered, "WE READ BOOKS!!". It was fun to watch. (Now, yes, they were excited because they were having an assembly on a Friday afternoon and were thus, out of class. I know, I was a teacher! But, the message of the assembly, and their excitement was a powerful one).
Meanwhile, during the assembly, parents were pouring in to the school asking if the book fair was still open so that they could buy some books for their kids.
Books have power. They transport kids one story at a time to other places. Books, unlike movies, give kids the power to imagine their own stories and visuals, to be creative.
Here's my story about books (and obviously there weren't E-readers back then.... )
When I was in the first grade, I hated reading. I got a C in phonics (yes, phonics), and I thought it was the most unnecessary subject ever. For the record, I also hated math and could not figure out how 5:05 and 5:50 on a clock differed - really, I was kind of dull.
For the next few years I fought reading. But when I entered the fourth grade, something happened. My teacher announced a reading competition. The winner each week was the one who had read the most pages (as signed off by the parents). I didn't like reading very much - but I was not going to let Brittany win. No. Way.
So I started reading. And what really got me going was that same fourth grade teacher taking the time every day after lunch to read to our class from "Where the Red Fern Grows". I got so angry that she would only read a few pages a day that I went to the library and checked it out so that I could just finish it already.
The rest of the year, Brittany and I traded back and forth on who won. We both tried out a variety of strategies. She believed that reading multiple books at a time worked best, while I believed that just focusing all of my attention on one at a time was the best.
By the end of the year, I liked reading. No, I loved reading. I didn't stop. And I haven't stopped since then.
This is what kids today need. They need a teacher to interest them in a book. They need a school library where they can easily go find the book that might change their life.
Which is why I believe in the power of school libraries.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Check It In!
The DC Public Library system announced this week that from now until February 5 they will forgive all library fines for any overdue, damaged (etc) materials (which includes books, DVD's, and any other items that can be rented from the library system).
This is a great initiative, as it will allow many people to get back into the library without the worry that they will need to pay fines. It is especially helpful for children and young adults who may not have the funds to pay for lost or overdue books, and who will stay away from the library for years as a result.
The library's goal is always to get people to read, explore, and learn - programs like this help immensely!
Now if only Philadelphia could/would do the same...
This is a great initiative, as it will allow many people to get back into the library without the worry that they will need to pay fines. It is especially helpful for children and young adults who may not have the funds to pay for lost or overdue books, and who will stay away from the library for years as a result.
The library's goal is always to get people to read, explore, and learn - programs like this help immensely!
Now if only Philadelphia could/would do the same...
Monday, December 5, 2011
Gift Wrapping and Bookfair
Next week is the big week! Our gift wrapping event and the Barnes and Noble bookfair!
Remember, the online code for the bookfair is 10570174 - and a precentage goes to Library Build! Please pass this along to others! Its free for you, and helps us out so much!
Remember, the online code for the bookfair is 10570174 - and a precentage goes to Library Build! Please pass this along to others! Its free for you, and helps us out so much!
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Library Build is on Pepsi Refresh!
I mindlessly log onto Pepsi Refresh's site today to see how a friend's idea fared in last month's competition, and what do you know - Library Build is in the competition for December!! They didn't even email me! (You have to apply for your idea or nonprofit to be on Pepsi Refresh, and they had sent me an email saying Library Build's plan was under "review" but had not gotten word that we were accepted).
Today is the first day - and you can vote EVERYDAY! Please help us get 10K for the awesome kids at Rowen and their new library!!
Pepsi Refresh for Library Build
Please forward to others!!
Today is the first day - and you can vote EVERYDAY! Please help us get 10K for the awesome kids at Rowen and their new library!!
Pepsi Refresh for Library Build
Please forward to others!!
Library Closings
Every once and awhile I have time to peruse the Library Journal's site. They usually have pretty great articles about whats going on with libraries and librarians across the US.
Today, two caught my eye, and both are about library systems closings. Chicago and Detroit have both been struggling with budget cuts (much like Philadelphia), and had to make the difficult decision to shutter branches.
In Detroit, the shutting of 4 branches was actually decided by the library system, in order to preserve its current staff of librarians who had been working in mulitple locations and with longer hours in order to keep the branches open after layoffs. Luckily, the new closures won't result in new layoffs.
But in Chicago, the budget for the library system was reduced by $8 million, which will lead to about 180 layoffs - a pretty big number.
It's pretty amazing the amount and size of layoffs in the teaching and librarianship sectors recently. Unfortunately, librarians aren't seen as "necessary" like teachers are, and their axed positions rarely come back (much unlike teaching positions). That's part of the struggle in Philadelphia right now - librarians were laid off in the 70's and 80's, but they were never recalled, leading to the problems we see today in Philadelphia's school libraries.
Unfortunately, the budget crises in most cities means that school librarians, and shuttered library branches won't be coming back any time soon. City governments aren't suddenly going to see the value in the school libraries, or be able to generate funds from mid-air for their creation.
So what can we do about it? This is a question that I'm still mulling, but here are some initial thoughts:
1. Hold book drives for a local school.
2. Contact private or charter school librarians to see if they have extra books.
3. Contact local library branches about extra books.
4. Create a "Friends of xxx School Library" much the same way that organizations supporting library branches have been created.
Changing these problems just requires someone - anyone - to get involved.
Today, two caught my eye, and both are about library systems closings. Chicago and Detroit have both been struggling with budget cuts (much like Philadelphia), and had to make the difficult decision to shutter branches.
In Detroit, the shutting of 4 branches was actually decided by the library system, in order to preserve its current staff of librarians who had been working in mulitple locations and with longer hours in order to keep the branches open after layoffs. Luckily, the new closures won't result in new layoffs.
But in Chicago, the budget for the library system was reduced by $8 million, which will lead to about 180 layoffs - a pretty big number.
It's pretty amazing the amount and size of layoffs in the teaching and librarianship sectors recently. Unfortunately, librarians aren't seen as "necessary" like teachers are, and their axed positions rarely come back (much unlike teaching positions). That's part of the struggle in Philadelphia right now - librarians were laid off in the 70's and 80's, but they were never recalled, leading to the problems we see today in Philadelphia's school libraries.
Unfortunately, the budget crises in most cities means that school librarians, and shuttered library branches won't be coming back any time soon. City governments aren't suddenly going to see the value in the school libraries, or be able to generate funds from mid-air for their creation.
So what can we do about it? This is a question that I'm still mulling, but here are some initial thoughts:
1. Hold book drives for a local school.
2. Contact private or charter school librarians to see if they have extra books.
3. Contact local library branches about extra books.
4. Create a "Friends of xxx School Library" much the same way that organizations supporting library branches have been created.
Changing these problems just requires someone - anyone - to get involved.
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