First-graders file into the library at Stokes-Beard Elementary, buzzing with the anticipation of the upcoming summer break.
Inside, they get their first glimpse of a stack of shiny new paperback books. Books that — thanks to My Book of Lowndes County — each student is allowed to take home.
The My Book program, a special project of the CREATE Foundation, aims to increase literacy levels in Columbus and Lowndes County by giving students their own books. Throughout the year, My Book representatives work with teachers and librarians to purchase and distribute the books to first-graders in the Columbus Municipal School District and at West Lowndes Elementary.
The whole idea is to increase access to books, My Book Board Member Vicki Hill said.
“It gives them a book that they can touch,” she said. “… A lot of children don’t have books at home like people think they would.”
Even with resources in place, Stokes-Beard Librarian Rachel West said it can still be difficult for students to find books to read.
“We do have the public library, but a lot of these parents do not have transportation,” West told The Dispatch. “They don’t have internet access, so they can’t even get the online books. So if it’s not a book that we give to them, especially during the summer, they don’t have access to books.”
Over the past 10 years, My Book has distributed nearly 20,000 books to 4,000 students. This year, the nonprofit has provided each first-grader at the CMSD elementary schools and West Lowndes Elementary with at least five books for them to take home.
“This gives them access to the books,” West said. “They read them in class. They use them for (Accelerated Reader points) during class and, in theory, they add it to their home library.”
My Book representatives visit their designated schools to distribute books at least five times during the school year, Hill said.
But the mission doesn’t end when the books are handed out. West said she likes to incorporate activities related to what the students are reading. My Book representatives take time to read the book with the students when they visit schools and ask follow up questions about the story to improve reading comprehension.
The nonprofit functions under the belief that the ability to read is one of the best predictors of a child’s future success, which is why representatives spend extra time reading to the students.
“Reading helps in every way,” Hill said. “Your knowledge. Your vocabulary. Everything is so important to reading.”
The organization uses donations to fund grants for librarians or teachers to choose and purchase books for the students. As the group prepares for the next school year, Hill said donations will help ensure the program can provide for local first-graders.
“Any donations — from organizations, people — anything helps purchase the books.”
A $100 donation purchases books for 20 students, and a $250 donation buys 55 books for students. Donations can be made online through the CREATE Foundation’s donation page.
McRae is a general assignment and education reporter for The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 26 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 26 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
