The Friends of the Palm Beach County Library System sponsored “Reading Is Soooo Delicious” this summer. For three weeks, library staff and library supporters visited camps and school sites in Greenacres, Jupiter, Pahokee and West Palm Beach.
Each week, the children, ages 5 to 17, were able to select one to two books they could add to their home libraries.
The participating students also received a bag and a simple craft project. More than 2,500 books were distributed.
Research has shown that children are more likely to read for fun and learn new things when books are readily available in the home. Starting a home library also shows a child how important books are.
“I usually pick out the books that my teachers want me to read, but now I got a chance to pick out my own, and I enjoyed it more than what others want me to read,” said Sabrina, a student at the West Jupiter Community Center.
“The Friends of the Library and the library staff wanted to find a way to get books into the hands of children to prevent the summer slide,” Friends of the Library President Jane Blevins, a former librarian, said. “That is how we came up with ‘Reading Is Soooo Delicious.’”
One parent wrote to say how grateful she was for the program.
“Thank you very much for the books you provided for my children over the summer,” Latoya Bell wrote. “My children are learning how important it is to learn how to read and understand what you are reading.”
The Friends of the Palm Beach County Library System plan to expand the program to eight sites next summer. To donate to “Reading Is Soooo Delicious,” send checks to the Friends of the Palm Beach County Library System at 3650 Summit Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33406.
ABOVE: The Friends of the Palm Beach County Library System sponsored “Reading is Sooooo Delicious,” which distributed free books to four locations, including the Greenacres Community Center.
