Friday, October 10, 2008

Putting Together a Library

I'm dedicating a shelf at the community center where I work for teens, so I'm collecting teen fiction. Now I have a great collection myself and have donated quite a few, but I have some I just can't part with. I'm looking mostly for multicultural books. Community Partners for Affordable Housing, where I work, is an amazing organization. They own and run four properties and only 26% of the money comes from the government. One of them is for low income seniors and the others are for low income families, mostly single moms. Each property has a community center and runs an afterschool tutoring center for children k-middle school. Teens get their own parties and there is also a scholarship program in place. The programs are designed as a support for families in need. The program includes tutoring, nutritious snacks, computer time and fun and games. We also teach character traits.

I figure that having a teen library right in the community center will give these teens easy access to books that are about them. A teen hesitant to go to the public library will be able to walk over to the community center for a book. I'm planning on including a checkout program (perhaps putting a teen in charge of it) and a list of multicultural books. I am so excited about this! If anyone has a book they would like to donate, or any other ideas, please let me know!

6 comments:

Lexi said...

Great idea, Teri! I'll think about some books.

Anonymous said...

Awesome idea, Teri. To find CHEAP books to round out your collection check your local library for used book sales. I know we sell paperbacks for 50 cents and we're having a huge used book sale some January. I'd be happy to give you my books, but they're not multicultural.

Shari Green said...

That's a terrific idea, Teri! Good luck with it. :)

Barrie said...

Sounds great! I have teen books I could donate, but not much multi-cultural. Sorry...

Keri Mikulski said...

What a wonderful idea, Teri. :)

Dan Santana said...

Great sharee