April 1, 2025 —  The Methodist Children’s Home (MCH) in Ruston, Louisiana was honored with a custom collection of Young Adult and Graphic novels as a part of Judith’s Reading Room’s “15 Libraries to Celebrate its 15th Anniversary in 2025.”
 
As the flagship residential treatment program of Louisiana United Methodist Children & Family Services, a statewide nonprofit dedicated to the wellbeing of Louisiana’s children, MCH provides comprehensive, intensive residential treatment for approximately 240 children ages 11-17 each year.

Today’s re-inauguration of the Judith’s Reading Room library on April 1st, the start of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, is meant to bring awareness to the importance of communities working together to support families and protect children.  Today’s donation of 92 books with a cover price value of $1,006 includes Victoria Aveyard’s Red Queen series, Jennifer Lynn Barnes The Grandest Game  and her Naturals series, Kazu Kibuishi’s Amulet Graphic Novel series, and Five Nights at Freddie’s Graphic Novels.

“While it is impossible to measure precisely how a book may ‘save’ a child’s life, there are numerous ways that books can have a profound, life-changing impact on a child,” said Cathy Leiber, President, Judith’s Reading Room.  She added, “We hope these books plant seeds of courage and hope.  Creating opportunities for children to connect with the right book is an invaluable step in their journey.”

Sarah Head, Vice President, LUMCFS told Judith’s Reading Room that “Many of the children who come to us are not reading proficiently.  Building confidence inside and outside the classroom is essential to setting these children up for success once they leave our care.  One way to do that is to provide age-appropriate Graphic Novels.”

In a bold move, the board of directors voted to dedicate 15 new or enhanced Judith’s Reading Room libraries around the world in 2025. LUMCFS is the organization’s 7th library to be honored during the 15th Anniversary celebration.

In the news! LUMC 250411 RUSTON DAILY LEADER NEWS CLIP

“15 Libraries to Celebrate Our 15th Anniversary in 2025” — Dedication Dates

1. Bright School/TEACH Rwanda, Muhanga, Rwanda — January 7
2. Escuela ‘Agustin Flores Contreras,’ Puerto Vallarta, Mexico — January 15
3. Read for Literacy, “Real Men READ-y,” Toledo, Ohio — February 3 
4. Avery Chapel AME Church, Southaven, Mississippi — February 15
5. Watch Me Grow Learning Academy, Grenada, MS  — February 15 
6. Mosaic Preparatory Academy, East Harlem, New York — March 14 
7. Louisiana United Methodist Children & Family Services, Ruston, Louisiana — April 1
8. Washington Co. Residential Center’s ‘Harkins House,’ Portland, Oregon — April 4
9. Heavy Sound, Edinburgh, Scotland — May 30
10. James Prendergast Free Library, Jamestown, New York — July 31
11. Chinle Planting Hope, Navajo Nation, Chinle, Arizona — November 1
12. Kirioruwa School, Marabedda, Bandarawela, Sri Lanka — TBA
13. Vhulakanjhani Primary School, Limpopo Province, South Africa — TBA
14. Janata Adharbhut Vidhyalaya, Kathmandu, Nepal — TBA
15. Abundant Life Academy, Nutley, New Jersey — September

Judith’s Reading Room and Louisiana United Methodist Children & Family Services
Louisiana United Methodist Children & Family Services (LUMCFS) & Judith’s Reading Room began their relationship in 2022 when Judith’s Reading Room dedicated its 105th eponymous library with the idea that children healing from trauma can “get out of their heads” and into a good story.  At that time, the organization donated 124 hand-picked books with a cover price value of $1,449.  In 2023, the organization added to its library by donating 66 more books specifically from a Wish List provided by the children with a cover price value of $724.  A donation made later that year plus today’s donation of 92 books valued at $1,006, brings to a grand total Judith’s Reading Room investment of 982 books at a cover price of $4,411. 

Judith’s Reading Room
Judith’s Reading Room was founded in 2010 in the memory of Judith F. Krug, a distinguished librarian and first cousin to the founders.  Judy served as Director, Office for Intellectual Freedom at the American Library Association for 40 years and is credited with establishing Banned Books Week.  The organization is celebrating its 15th anniversary by dedicating libraries that stretch across 4 oceans and 4 continents.

Judith’s Reading Room’s mission is to enrich lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy.  That mission has been fulfilled by establishing 111 libraries (and counting!) in 25 countries with 134,000books donated worth over $1.4 million dollars.  To learn more about Judith’s Reading Room, its libraries and awards, please visit www.judithsreadingroom.org