Schuyler to become a Community Book Garden, providing free books in five locations
Schuyler is one of the communities in the state that has been selected to be a Community Book Garden.
Community Book Gardens are trusted sources within book deserts that provide free books to local families and children, sponsored by Nebraska Growing Readers and funded by Nebraska Children and Families Foundation.
Community & Family Partnership, an initiative of Columbus Area United Way, is a four-county collaborative that received the offer to have one community, Schuyler, grow Community Book Gardens.
Kim Parsons, coordinator of Schuyler Communities for Kids+, is excited for this opportunity.
"We are thrilled that Schuyler was chosen," Parsons said in a news release. "The business owners and organizations were so receptive and eager to be a part of this project. Schuyler truly is the perfect place for a Community Book Garden."
These books will be available in five book stand locations in Schuyler where children and parents may be found. A ribbon cutting is planned for Thursday, Sept. 26.
According to nebraskagrowingreaders.org , "the aim of Nebraska Growing Readers is to transform the literacy landscape of our state and aspires to cultivate a love of reading in communities by fostering an early love for books and shared reading."
The books provided by this program are less than 10 pages and designed for the young child. These books are available online at unitedforliteracy.com/ngr/library or free books will be located in five Schuyler locations; Schuyler Public Library, CHI Health, WIC Office in East Central District Health Department, the African Store, and the Soak 3 Times Laundromat.
Some of the books are written by local community members.
On Sept. 7, an all-day writer's workshop was held at the Schuyler Public Library and had 13 community members in attendance with diverse experiences and backgrounds. Their books are in the draft stage and are expected to be completed in October. There are also two books on the Touch-A-Truck event that is held annually in Schuyler.
Community & Family Partnership Impact Director Roberta Miksch emphasizes the importance of diversity.
"The community is known for its diversity of residents; among them the young and young at heart, deeply rooted people in the community and those who have the beginning of their roots growing there," Miksch said. "Workshop participants came to the table to tell a basic children's story with pictures, short sentences, and even interactive questions for the parent to ask their child about the book. Different cultures were represented through the books created."
The ribbon cutting for the free bookstands will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 26 at the Soak 3 Times Laundromat. There will be a reception to follow from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Schuyler Public Library offering free books and light refreshments. All are welcome to attend.
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