Category: Media

Kudos to Prendergast Library, Jamestown, NY

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Kudos to Prendergast Library, Jamestown, NY

August 31, 2024 – Jamestown NY. 

Kudos to Prendergast Library, Jamestown, New York, one of 38 libraries in the Chautauqua-Cattaragus Library System in western New York, for supporting a summer reading program.

Today, IT Librarian, Kristie Bemis joyfully recognized the library’s most voracious readers with prizes and new books at a Summer Reading Finale.

Mom Stacy and daughter Phoenix, shown below, epitomize the role of active parents in instilling a love of reading in their children.  Stacy told me that she reads to her two children no less than one hour and often two hours per day.  She eschews video games in favor of books.  Phoenix modeled her bead necklace — each bead represents one hour of reading.
 
Conscientious citizens everywhere are showing up in support of their local libraries.  Join them today at your local library!
 

Graphic Novels Comprise Curated Library

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NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT: Cathy Leiber
www.JudithsReadingRoom.org

Graphic Novels Comprise Curated Library Destined for
Children in Scotland with Poor/No Literacy

 

Updates – August 2024

Photos taken today at the dedication of our 107th library in our 24th country. The 124 graphic novels were hand-picked for the at-risk children with low or no literacy skills served by Heavy Sound. The books were curated by The Scottish Book Trust.

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Link to: SCOTTISH BOOK TRUST PRESS RELEASE ***

April 16, 2024 —  Judith’s Reading Room today purchased 124 teenage graphic novels identified by The Scottish Book Trust, Edinburgh, Scotland that will constitute a first-ever library at Heavy Sound in East Lothian, Scotland when Judith’s Reading Room dedicates its 107th library in its 24th country.

Reading has to start somewhere and kids need to develop confidence that they can do it.  For many, graphic novels are the perfect stepping stone for reluctant readers or for kids afraid of seeing so many words on a page.  The 124 ‘must-have’ graphic novels were purchased at Center Valley, PA Barnes & Noble with a cover price of $2,456 and will be shipped to coincide with the dedication of the library on August 10, 2024.

“Graphic novel kids can relate to pictures and that helps them understand the storyline,” said Barnes & Noble Manager Erin Cornish.  She added, “Once they grasp the reading aspect, the light bulb goes on!”  Cornish and her colleagues Kayla Sharott and Amy Schenkenberger scoured the stacks and ordered the books to create the perfect collection.

The Judith’s Reading Room’s 107th library will be installed at Heavy Sound, a nonprofit based in East Lothian, Scotland that works with some of Scotland’s most vulnerable and disconnected teens with poor to no literacy.  Heavy Sound recognizes the barriers illiteracy causes throughout their lives and therefore aims to inspire and support them to become readers and writers.

“The idea is to not only get these kids onto grade level reading, but to instill in them a love of reading that will catapult them into a lifelong relationship with literature,” said Cathy Leiber, President, Judith’s Reading Room.

 

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Judith’s Reading Room Expands to 25 Countries

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NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT: Cathy Leiber
www.JudithsReadingRoom.org

Judith’s Reading Room Expands to 25 Countries
Czech Republic to become its 5th country in Europe

August 3, 2024 — In collaboration with the Czech Republic’s nonprofit Pink Crocodile Charity for Children and The Neratov Association, Judith’s Reading Room announced today that it has finalized steps to dedicate its 108th library at the Zahradka Primary School and the Neratov Primary School on November 8, 2024.  Located in Prague and East Bohemia, respectively, the curated traveling library will serve specials needs children.  This marks a milestone for the organization:  The library in the Czech Republic will bring to a total East Bohemia where Judith’s Reading Room is established.

Zahradka Primary is a special education school for pupils with multiple handicaps and autism spectrum disorders.  The school serves 36 pupils in five classes that allow for individual education plans.  The goal is to give pupils a level of independence while building their social skills.  Reading books aloud are a key part of building those skills.

The special school Neratov is part of a larger association caring for people with disabilities in the region of Neratov, a small village in East Bohemia close to the Polish border.  The association Neratov provides sheltered work shops, jobs, and assisted living for people with mental disabilities.

In agreement with Pink Crocodile’s board member Ulrike Michel-Schneider, the Zahradka Primary School will act as the “mother” library.  Pink Crocodile will then “travel” with a selection of the books to “satellite” schools and institutions, each serving between 10-40 students.  “In this manner, Judith’s Reading Room’s books will reach more children throughout the Czech Republic as the books constantly rotate, said Cathy Leiber, Co-Founder, Judith’s Reading Room.

Pink Crocodile staff curated the comprehensive list of children’s books that teachers say students will enjoy and find interesting.  The custom library includes 80 concept and story books in the form of board books plus sound, touch and feel sensory books.  Judith’s Reading Room donated $1,000 toward the purchase of the curated library.

“It has been a great opportunity to further support the organizations we already serve.  Books are an important part in the education for children with special needs.  Extending the mission of Judith’s Reading Room goes hand in hand with our mission,” says Ulrike Michel-Schneider from Pink Crocodile in Prague.

Judith’s Reading Room in Europe

The Czech Republic will become the 5th European country to house a Judith’s Reading Room library.   In 2012, Judith’s Reading Room dedicated two libraries in Albania at the request of US Peace Corps volunteers — the Rakip Kocibelli School in Qatrom and the Polene Elementary School near Korce.  Two years later, in 2014, Judith’s Reading Room established five libraries-within-libraries in Romania at the behest of its Resita City municipal librarian, Dominique Zara.  She requested our support to deliver books for the city’s 70,000 residents who lacked access to books in English.  In 2015, Judith’s Reading Room responded to US Peace Corps volunteers and shipped books to the Risbek Aidarliev School, serving 902 students in The Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan).

On August 10, 2024, the organization will dedicate its 107th library in Edinburgh, Scotland in collaboration with The Scottish Book Trust and Heavy Sound, a nonprofit serving at-risk teens.  In November, 2024, Judith’s Reading Room will open its 108th library in collaboration with Pink Crocodile Charity for Children that serves special schools Zahradka Primary School (Prague) and Neratov in East Bohemia.   Both organizations serve underprivileged children with multiple handicaps and autism spectrum disorders.

Judith’s Reading Room, a 501(c)3 literacy organization, was founded in 2010 in the memory of Judith F. Krug, first cousin to the founders.  Judy, a distinguished librarian, served as Director, Office for Intellectual Freedom at the American Library Association for 40 years, notably defending First Amendment rights of her fellow librarians.

Judith’s Reading Room’s mission is to enrich lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy.  The organization has actively pursued that mission by establishing, to date, 106 libraries in 23 countries with more than 133,000 donated books worth USD $1.4 million.  For more information, visit www.judithsreadingroom.org.

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Chautauqua Institution’s Eventide Event

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NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT: Cathy Leiber
www.JudithsReadingRoom.org

Judith’s Reading Room featured at Chautauqua Institution’s Eventide Event
Curated book collections and role of book clubs highlighted

July 25, 2024 — Chautauqua, NY — Last night the Alumni Association of Chautauqua Institution’s Literary & Scientific Circle (CLSC) hosted the founders of Judith’s Reading Room, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit headquartered in eastern PA, at their once-a-week Eventide Event.  The organization’s mission and work over the last 15 years melded perfectly with Week Five’s theme:  Our Greatest Challenges (that we can actually do something about.)

Since its founding in 2010, Judith’s Reading Room has dedicated 106 libraries in 23 countries with books curated for the exact audience being served.  For example, books written by or about Indigenous people were selected for its library serving the Navajo Nation in Chinle, AZ.  Books by or about black children were provided for its libraries in Tunica and Sunflower, MS.

The audience was engaged in a detailed conversation about the mechanics of opening libraries and filling them with curated books and offered suggestions for outreach in Kansas City, MO and  other US states.  The co-founders offered its insights into how average Americans can actually do something about “Our Greatest Challenges:  Promoting Literacy.”

The CLSC is the oldest continuous book club in the United States dating to 1878.  Over 8,400 people enrolled the first year.  Reading Circles proliferated around the country and by the turn of the century, over 10,000 circles had been formed.  It came as no surprise to the audience that the founders, members of CLSC, also emphasized the significant importance of their home town book club, Club Read of Easton, PA.  Co-founder, Cathy Leiber, a member of Club Read for 20 years, catapulted the creation of book clubs at residential homes for at-risk youth.  To date, Judith’s Reading Room maintains book clubs in connection with its libraries at such homes in three states:  Louisiana, Oregon and Pennsylvania.

To date, Judith’s Reading Room has established 106 libraries in 23 countries with more than 133,000 books donated.  On August 10, the organization will dedicate its 107th library in Edinburgh, Scotland in collaboration with The  Scottish Book Trust and Heavy Sound, a local non-profit serving disadvantaged youth 12-15 who are below grade level reading.  On November 8, Judith’s Reading Room will open its 108th library in Prague, The Czech Republic, with partner Pink Crocodile serving children with multiple disorders.

For more information on the role of book clubs for at-risk or reluctant readers, visit the website at www.judithsreadingroom.org,  Click on ‘ABOUT US’ and scroll down to Initiatives to see the documentary “Cracking Open the Universe” produced by Judith’s Reading Room.

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Outstanding Service Award — Dorothy Martin, Travel Specialist

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Outstanding Service Award — Dorothy Martin, Travel Specialist

Travel Agent Honored for Commitment to Expanding Social Impact of Judith’s Reading Room

July 3, 2024 — In pursuit of its mission, “to enrich lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy,” Judith’s Reading Room, a literacy nonprofit based in eastern Pennsylvania, honored Dorothy Martin, Travel Specialist with Grand European Travel (GET) for her compassion to improve the lives of at-risk youth in Edinburgh, Scotland.  Martin received the organization’s Outstanding Service Award and will be acknowledged during the dedication of Judith’s Reading Room’s 107th library in Edinburgh on August 10.

At a meeting in September 2023 in Tigard, a suburb of Portland, Oregon, Judith’s Reading Room introduced its capability to offer curated libraries with books in English to local schools and established its hope that through the good offices of GET, the organization’s mission would be communicated to travelers and travel agents alike.

Judith’s Reading Room will dedicate its library at Heavy Sound, a nonprofit organization in Edinburgh that serves care-experienced youth.  The curated collection of 124 graphic novels valued at $2,456 was achieved through the collaboration of The Scottish Book Trust.

“An innovative way to step up the expansion of our organization’s presence around the world is to link up with travel organizations that are committed to making a positive social impact in the communities they visit.  GET is exactly that kind of organization, evidenced by its compassionate travel specialist Dorothy Martin, its TreadRight Foundation and ‘Be My Guest’ initiatives,” said Cathy Leiber, President, Judith’s Reading Room.

Travel organizations like GET understand that American travelers are looking for deeper connections and experiences such as when travelers read to children in local schools.  This is where Judith’s Reading Room comes in, as the organization is set up to provide the perfect books in English for the school, orphanage, day care or community center.

Including Edinburgh, Scotland, Judith’s Reading Room will have dedicated 107 libraries in 24 countries with 133,000 books donated worth more than $1.4 million.  The organization’s 2024 goal is to expand library donations across Europe.  Currently, Judith’s Reading Room has created 5 libraries in Romania, two in Albania, and one in The Kyrgyz Republic.  Following Scotland, the organization will dedicate its tenth library in Europe and its 108th library in Prague, Czech Republic in November.

For more information, visit www.judithsreadingroom.org.

 

Encourage Siblings to Read Aloud to Younger Siblings

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NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT: Cathy Leiber
www.JudithsReadingRoom.org

Encourage Siblings to Read Aloud to Younger Siblings

Choose a Summer of Reading & Make Lifetime Memories

May 30, 2024 — Judith’s Reading Room, a literacy nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy suggests a ‘sibling-to-sibling’ summer activity that will surely build lifetime memories.

In partnership with Washington County Juvenile Detention Center’s ‘Harkins House,’ a nationally recognized model program and short-term residential shelter located near Portland, Oregon, the Juvenile Service Supervisor recently shared the outcome of receiving the latest shipment of books donated by Judith’s Reading Room.

In celebration of 12 consecutive years of enhancing its Judith’s Reading Room library at ‘Harkins House,’ the organization added 67 YA and children’s books to grow the library to 708 books valued at nearly $9,000.

Martha Villegas, Juvenile Service Supervisor shared, “the youth had the opportunity to look through the books and pick out books for their younger siblings.  They were able to use this opportunity to engage in reading with their younger siblings during family time at Harkins House.”  She added, “It was nice to see how the family as a whole enjoyed spending time onsite reading together as an activity that included younger siblings.  The youth shared excitement in being able to give their sibling a book and see their responses with big smiles on their faces.”

This summer, choose a family activity by visiting your local library or book store and encourage older siblings to pick out books to read aloud to their younger siblings.  Imagine the joy that one ‘Harkins House’ youth felt when they said, “this is the first time I have ever read to my little sister.”

Judith’s Reading Room and Harkins House Celebrate 12 Years

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NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT: Cathy Leiber
www.JudithsReadingRoom.org

The Judith’s Reading Room Library at Portland, Oregon’s ‘Harkins House’ Celebrates 12 Years 

April 25, 2024 — Judith’s Reading Room, a nonprofit literacy organization based in eastern Pennsylvania announced that it had deepened its commitment to providing quality literature to ‘Harkins House,’ a residential shelter for teens near Portland, Oregon.

In May 2012, Judith’s Reading Room established a library at Washington County Juvenile Detention Center’s ‘Harkins House,’ a nationally recognized model program and short-term temporary residential shelter located near Portland, Oregon.  Based on research, literacy is a significant protective factor for at-risk youth and is strongly correlated with reducing recidivism.  For those reasons, Judith’s Reading Room has sustained its efforts to provide books and a path to building social skills and literacy.

In celebration of the 12 consecutive years of enhancing the initial library of 219 books, Judith’s Reading Room announced today that it has added 67 high-quality books at a cover price of $735.  The library has grown to 708 books valued at $8,734 and with today’s donation, includes New York Times Bestsellers, National Book Award Finalists, Stonewall Honor Books, John Newbery Medal authors and Best Book of the Year.

The organization has had a hands-on approach with its Judith’s Reading Room library with members of the board of directors visiting ‘Harkins House,’ conducting Banned Books events, supporting Book Clubs and producing a film documentary called “Cracking Open the Universe” that revealed to researchers from Lafayette College in Easton, PA that book clubs enhanced participation and positively impacted participants’ attitudes about pleasure reading.

For more information about Judith’s Reading Room and its annual “Freedom Through Literacy Award,” visit www.judithsreadingroom.org.

Outstanding Service Award — Barnes and Noble

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Outstanding Service Award — Award to Barnes & Noble

April 21, 2024

Ms. Erin Cornish
Manager, Barnes & Noble
2960 Center Valley Parkway, Ste. 742
Center Valley, PA  18034

Dear Erin, Amy and Kayla,

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Judith’s Reading Room please accept our appreciation for the effort you all put into finding, ordering and organizing 124 curated teenage Graphic Novels so that we could sweep into your store and prepare the books for shipping — all in a matter of an hour.  You may consider that this was your job.  I would agree but I would make sure you understood that your expertise in knowing where to look is phenomenal and greatly appreciated.  For this outstanding contribution to Judith’s Reading Room, we name the three of you recipients of our Outstanding Service Award.

We will ship the books to Heavy Sound in June so that they arrive near the time of our trip to Edinburgh so that we can enjoy the look on their faces when we open the boxes together.  Photos will tell the story!!

Make no mistake about it:  we appreciate you more than you will ever know and we consider ourselves so lucky to have your assistance.

Warmest regards,

Cathy L. Leiber, Co-Founder

 

Outstanding Service Award — Emmaus High School

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Outstanding Service Award — Emmaus High School

April 21, 2024

Emmaus High School, Attn:  Amy Kaunitz
500 Macungie Avenue
Emmaus, PA  18049

Dear Rebecca, Amanda, Elena, Giulia, Abby, Caroline and Amy,

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Judith’s Reading Room, a global literacy nonprofit based in Berks County, PA, I’m writing today to express our heartfelt gratitude for your spectacular effort during the recent Book Fair at Barnes & Noble Center Valley on behalf of Judith’s Reading Room.  Your sweet encouragement – persistence – saleswoman-ship! –  resulted in a whopping gift card for our organization in the amount of $1,148.52.

You will remember that Judith’s Reading Room encouraged you the day of the book fair to inform patrons that their generosity would result in the purchase of teenage graphic novels for Heavy Sound near Edinburgh, Scotland.  We had promised Heavy Sound that we would invest $2,000 in books to establish our 107th library in our 24th country.  So, you see, you helped us achieve more than 1/2 of that commitment.  That is HUGE.

You may visit our website at www.judithsreadingroom.org to learn more about our 106 libraries established so far, along with our annual Freedom Through Literacy Awards.

Warmest regards,

Cathy L. Leiber, Co-Founder

 

Outstanding Service Award — Ana Luhrs

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Outstanding Service Award — Ana Luhrs

 

April 21, 2024

Ms. Ana Luhrs
Easton, PA  18042

Dear Ana,

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Judith’s Reading Room please accept our greatest appreciation for your constant collaboration with our organization to improve the scholarship that underlines our library formations around the world.  In specific, we recognize you for researching the topic of Reluctant Readers and Graphic Novels for our 107th library to be donated August 10, 2024 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Please accept our humble thank you along with this Certificate acknowledging you as an Outstanding Service Award recipient.

Warmest regards,

Cathy L. Leiber, Co-Founder

 

 

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