Category: Media

2019 Freedom Through Literacy Award Press Release

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NEWS RELEASE  
CONTACT:  Cathy Leiber484-661-6151
www.JudithsReadingRoom.org


Judith’s Reading Room Seeks Applicants for its 
2019 Freedom Through Literacy Award

January 21, 2019 — Lehigh Valley, Pa.  Judith’s Reading Room, a 501 (c) 3 literacy organization founded in 2010, announced today that applications for its 2019 Freedom Through Literacy Award can be found online at www.JudithsReadingRoom.org/APPLY.   The prestigious award, that honors multiple winners, carries a total cash prize of $4,500.  Deadline for submission of applications is July 1, 2019.  

The annual Freedom Through Literacy Award — the signature element of Judith’s Reading Room — is open to individual champions of literacy including teachers, librarians, authors, researchers, educators and literacy nonprofits  — anyone who has done exemplary work to instill in others a love of reading.  

In addition to the $3,000 Grand Prize, the Judith’s Award worth $500, is limited to  teachers, librarians and/or authors, who are also eligible to win the Grand Prize.  The Board Option Award, totaling $1,000, was created to acknowledge the passion of our board members who are constantly on the lookout for individuals doing something exciting in the world of literacy.

Since its inception in 2010,  Judith’s Reading Room has dedicated 96 libraries in 19 countries and counting, with 128,000 books donated valued at nearly $1.4 million dollars.  Since 2015, The Freedom Through Literacy Award has disbursed $29,000 and has honored 25 individual champions of literacy in the United States, the Philippines, Bhutan, Pakistan, Rwanda, Cambodia and Mexico.

2019 Freedom Through Literacy ApplicationAPPLY NOW

Winners of the 2018 Freedom Through Literacy Award Announced

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NEWS RELEASE  
CONTACT:  Cathy Leiber
2018 Freedom Through Literacy Award Winners Announced

Local Champions of Literacy Dominate This Year’s Awards

July 30, 2018 — Lehigh Valley, Pa. — Judith’s Reading Room proudly announces this year’s Top Prize winner of its Freedom Through Literacy Award is the Macungie, Pa Willow Lane Elementary teaching duo Julia Dweck and Matthew Weimann.  The goal of their project, “Release Your Fireflies,” is to creatively equip children to navigate a complex world through storytelling, paving the way for an appreciation of and lifetime membership in the universal library of human literature.  Top Prize award is $3,000.

Carin Mileshosky, Library Director, Fleetwood Area Public Library, Fleetwood, Pa (a Pa Library Association Gold Star Library) is awarded the organization’s Judith’s Award in the amount of $500.  The Judith’s Award, a new prize category this year, is designed exclusively for teachers, librarians or authors.  Carin’s integrated and fun-filled program, “FleetwoodSUMMER 2018,” attracted 180 individuals to attend creative programs; 150 of whom committed to reading over the summer, thereby reducing the negative impact of so-called “summer slide.”

The Board Option Award with a total prize of $1,000 is shared amongst four visionary individuals.  Christopher Dew for his boy scout Eagle Project, “Mini-Library for Lehigh Valley H.O.P.E.” is awarded $300; Ana Luhrs, Lafayette College’s Skillman Librarian for “The Leadership Center Library in Zambrano, Honduras” is awarded $300; Cheryl Stoner-Gutshall, Dover Area School District, for her project, “Outdoor Education Book Creator” is awarded $200; and, Marsha Townsend for her nonprofit, “Bringing Up a Bookworm” is awarded $200.

A celebratory award dinner will be held in their honor on Wednesday, September 12 at 6 p.m. at MELT, located at The Promenade Mall, 2880 Center Valley Parkway, Center Valley, Pa.  The public is encouraged to attend the dinner.  To reserve your space, a check made payable to Judith’s Reading Room in the amount of $45 per person must be mailed to P.O. Box 164, Blandon, PA  19510 and received no later than Wednesday, August 29.

Judith’s Reading Room, a literacy 501 (c) 3 based in eastern Pa was founded in 2010 in memory of Judith Krug, first cousin to the founders.  The mission of Judith’s Reading Room is to enrich lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy.  To date, the organization has fulfilled that mission by dedicating 96 libraries in 19 countries (and counting), with over 127,000 books donated and valued at nearly $1.4 million dollars.  

Since 2015, The Freedom Through Literacy Award has disbursed (including 2018 winners) $29,000 and has honored 25 individual champions of literacy in the United States, the Philippines, Bhutan, Pakistan, Rwanda, Cambodia and Mexico. 

 

Visit our Freedom Through Literacy Award Page

 

96th Library-Mexico joins 18 other countries

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Judith’s Reading Room Expands Globally with       Announcement of its 96th Library

Mexico joins 18 other countries to open a Judith’s Reading Room Library

April 16, 2018 — Lehigh Valley, Pa.  Judith’s Reading Room, a non-profit organization founded in 2010 to enrich lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy announced today the opening of its 96th library in its 19th country with The Palapa Society of Todos Santos, Mexico. 
The Palapa Society of Todos Santos is a non-profit whose mission is to create prepared 21st Century learners.  The organization was a 2017 Judith’s Reading Room Freedom Through Literacy Award winner and received a check in the amount of $500.  With that, they purchased approximately 50 children’s books in English and Spanish including BFG by Roald Dahl and Frida by Jonah Winter.   
The effort to teach English at the Biblioteca Infantil (Children’s Library) is to counter the low level of household literacy and reading habits in the Todos Santos community.  Compounding the problem is that local public schools do not have libraries nor do the classrooms contain books outside of textbooks.  The Palapa Society aims to change all that through the collaboration with Judith’s Reading Room.  Joy O’Brien, Program Director of The Palapa Children’s Library said “ the 162 ‘library enthusiasts’ were waiting to get their hands on the new books donated by Judith’s Reading Room. “ 
The 2018 Judith’s Reading Room Freedom Through Literacy Award application process is underway.  The 2018 Award will grant $4,500 in prizes.  The deadline to apply at www.JudithsReadingRoom.org/APPLY is July 6, 2018.  Since its inception, Judith’s Reading Room has dedicated 96 libraries in 19 countries with 127,679 books worth nearly $1.4 million dollars.  The Freedom Through Literacy Award has disbursed $24,500 and has honored 19 individual champions of literacy in the United States, the Philippines, Bhutan, Pakistan, Rwanda, Cambodia and Mexico. 

The Palapa Society of Todos Santos

Por fin or finally as we say in English! Here is a foto of a few of our 162 “card-carrying” library enthusiasts waiting eagerly to get their hands on the new books donated by Judith’s Reading Room. Just as there are only a very few of the kids in the foto, it is also only a portion of the books that were purchased with your generous donation. The others flew off the shelves before the foto could be made. Not a day goes by that one of the books that Judith’s Reading Room purchased is not being checked out for the enjoyment of our kids. We can’t thank you enough….
Joy O’Brien, Program Director of the Palapa Children’s Library (Biblioteca Infantil), Todos Santos, Baja California Sur, Mexico

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2018 Freedom Through Literacy Press Release

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NEWS RELEASE  
CONTACT:  Cathy Leiber
484-661-6151
Judith’s Reading Room Announces Its 2018 “Freedom Through Literacy” Award

Changes to the 2018 Award will encourage teachers, librarians, and authors

January 29, 2018 — Lehigh Valley, Pa.  Judith’s Reading Room, a non-profit literacy organization founded in 2010, is currently accepting applications for its 2018 “Freedom Through Literacy” Award.  Changes to the 2018 Award will encourage  teachers, librarians and authors both here and around the world.

The 4th annual “Freedom Through Literacy” Award, the signature element of Judith’s Reading Room, will honor a Top Prize winner with $3,000 cash.  The “Judith’s Award,” a new prize category, in the amount of $500, is designed exclusively for teachers, librarians and authors.  They are also eligible to win the Top Prize.  

A second new prize is announced today:  Prize totals vary — up to a total of $1,000 — Board members will nominate, on a rolling basis, champions of literacy.  Called
“Board Option” this prize engages board members to be “on the lookout,” constantly, for exemplary individuals whose work instills in others a love of reading. 

Applications for the 2018 “Freedom Through Literacy” Award are available on line at www.JudithsReadingRoom.org/APPLY.  Anyone working in the field of literacy — teachers, librarians, authors, educators, booksellers — is encouraged to apply.  Deadline for Applications: July 6, 2018.  

Since its inception in 2010,  Judith’s Reading Room has dedicated 95 libraries in 18 countries with over 127,000 books valued at nearly $1.4 million dollars.  Since 2015, $24,500 cash has been awarded to winners of the “Freedom Through Literacy” Award.

Por fin or finally as we say in English! Here is a foto of a few of our 162 “card-carrying” library enthusiasts waiting eagerly to get their hands on the new books donated by Judith’s Reading Room. Just as there are only a very few of the kids in the foto, it is also only a portion of the books that were purchased with your generous donation. The others flew off the shelves before the foto could be made. Not a day goes by that one of the books that Judith’s Reading Room purchased is not being checked out for the enjoyment of our kids. We can’t thank you enough….
Joy O’Brien, Program Director of the Palapa Children’s Library (Biblioteca Infantil), Todos Santos, Baja California Sur, Mexico

2017 Freedom Through Literacy Award Winners Announced

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pastedGraphic.png NEWS RELEASE  
CONTACT:  Cathy Leiber
484-661-6151

2017 Freedom Through Literacy Award Winners Announced

July 24, 2017 — Lehigh Valley, Pa. — Judith’s Reading Room proudly announces this year’s Top Prize winner of its 3rd annual Freedom Through Literacy Award is Lisa Lucas, National Book Foundation, New York, for their 10 year old literacy project titled, “BookUp.” BookUp is a reading program that serves more than 500 middle school aged children, older teens and young adults, led by published writers in four states. Students discuss quality literature in a book club format, go on field trips to cultural institutions and receive free books to build their home libraries. The Top Prize award is valued at $3,000.

William Whipple, Easton, Pa, will receive $1,000 for his passionate work with TEACH Rwanda and its project called, “Stories in Kinyarwanda.” Children’s literature in Rwanda is an emerging endeavor and TEACH Rwanda is determined to improve the quality and accessibility of culturally genuine, captivating Rwandan literature for young children. TEACH Rwanda was also a Runner-Up in 2016.

This year’s Honorable Mention is awarded to The Palapa Society of Todos Santos, Mexico. Founded in 2003, this grassroots nonprofit promotes the “love of reading” and bringing literacy to communities without the means or access to books given their high cost and limited availability in Mexico. To support their children’s library, Judith’s Reading Room will purchase $500 worth of new books.

Judith’s Reading Room, a literacy nonprofit based in the Lehigh Valley, Pa, was founded in 2010 in memory of Judith Krug, first cousin to the founders. Judy, a librarian, dedicated her 40 year career at the American Library Association to protect the freedom to read. The mission of Judith’s Reading Room is to enrich lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy. To date, the organization has fulfilled that mission by shipping more than 127,000 books to deployed troops and dedicating 95 libraries in 18 countries with books valued at nearly $1.4 million dollars.

Visit our Freedom Through Literacy Award Page

2017 “Freedom Through Literacy” Award July 7 Midnight Deadline Approaches

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pastedGraphic.png NEWS RELEASE  
CONTACT:  Cathy Leiber
484-661-6151
 2017 “Freedom Through Literacy” Award
July 7 Midnight Deadline Approaches

July 5, 2017 — Lehigh Valley, Pa.   Judith’s Reading Room, a nonprofit literacy organization founded in 2010, reminds the public that the application for its 3rd annual “Freedom Through Literacy Award” is Friday, July 7 at midnight.  The application is available at www.judithsreadingroom.org.

The Award honors individual champions of literacy from all disciplines around the world — teachers, librarians, authors, researchers, educators, literacy non-profit leaders — anyone who has done exemplary work to instill in others a love of reading.  Top prize is $3,000 and one runner-up will be awarded $1,000.  An honorable mention will be eligible to win $500 value in new books.

One change marks the 2017 Award:  First, Judith’s Reading Room will accept “nominations by self” and also nominations for others.  Therefore, if you are a student or a parent of a student and you love your teacher or librarian:  nominate them!

Since its inception, Judith’s Reading Room has established 95 libraries in 18  countries filled with more than 127,000 books valued at nearly $1.4 million. Judith’s Reading Room founded the “Freedom Through Literacy” Award in 2015.

Judith’s Reading Room Announces Changes to its 2017 “Freedom Through Literacy Award”

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Judith’s Reading Room Announces Changes to its
2017 “Freedom Through Literacy Award”

Lehigh Valley, Pa. – February 19, 2017 — Judith’s Reading Room, a local literacy nonprofit organization founded in 2010, announces changes to its third annual Freedom Through Literacy Award. The Award honors individual champions of literacy from all disciplines around the world — teachers, librarians, authors, researchers, educators — anyone who has done exemplary work to instill in others a love of reading.

Two changes were voted unanimously by the organization’s Board of Directors at its Annual Meeting that materially affect the organization’s 2017 “Freedom Through Literacy Award.”

First, in order to continue funding the Award into the future, without solicitation for contributions, the Board voted to change the prize money structure for the Award. Beginning with the 2017 Award, the top prize winner will receive $3,000 cash and one (1) runner-up will receive $1,000 cash. One Honorable Mention will receive $500 worth of new books to support their program.

Second, in order to conserve resources and to recognize that any international winner would most likely not be able to fly to the United States to attend an award dinner, the organization will not announce its winners at the Keystone State Reading Association conference. Instead, winners will be announced on the organization’s website and through social media no later than the end of July, 2017.

The Application for the 2017 Freedom Through Literacy Award is available on line and the deadline for applications is July 7, 2017.

Since its inception, Judith’s Reading Room has dedicated 95 libraries in 18 countries containing 127,179 books worth nearly $1.4 million.

$10,000 Freedom Through Literacy Award Deadline Nears

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NEWS RELEASE
CONTACT: Cathy Leiber
484-661-6151

$10,000 Freedom Through Literacy Award Deadline Nears

Judith’s Reading Room Seeks Champions of Literacy

December 21, 2015 — Bethlehem, Pa.

The 2016 Freedom Through Literacy Award deadline — January 26 — is one
month away and the $10,000 cash prizes are up for grabs, according to Cathy
Leiber, President of the nonprofit organization, Judith’s Reading Room.

The organization, with headquarters in Bethlehem, Pa, through its Freedom
Through Literacy Award, honors individual champions of literacy from all
disciplines around the world — teachers, librarians, authors, researchers, educators,
booksellers, media, missionaries, citizens — in a word, anyone who has done
exemplary work to instill in others a love of reading.

The Application is available on line at www.judithsreadingroom.org. The deadline for
submissions is January 26. The Application asks, for example, “Express your
individual philosophy about literacy,” and, “In as many ways as possible, please
describe the impact of your project.”

An international panel of 24 judges with diverse credentials will vote on the
Applications. Winners will be notified by April 13, 2016. Winners will be
announced at an Award Dinner co-hosted by the Colonial Association of Reading
Educators, on Wednesday, May 4th from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Cedar Crest College in
Allentown, Pa.

 

Celebrating International Literacy Day

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Judith’s Reading Room Celebrates
International Literacy Day

92nd Library to Open in the Kyrgyz Republic; 93rd in Lahore, Pakistan

Bethlehem, Pa. – September 8, 2015. Judith’s Reading Room will celebrate today’s International Literacy Day by packing children’s books at its 63rd Boxing Party, at 5 E. 3rd Street, Bethlehem from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Citizens and volunteers are expected to fill the room in the effort to share literacy around the world.

Boxers will pack children’s books for Nazareth, PA native, Andrew Berry, former Barnes & Noble associate now stationed with the Peace Corps in the Kyrgyz Republic. This will be Judith’s Reading Room’s 92nd library. Tonight’s effort to ship a box of 100 books to Risbek Aidarliev School will help Andrew get his English Club off the ground, where there are 902 students supported by 59 teachers, two of whom are English teachers. “The primary mission for my Peace Corps service is to improve the English levels, of both the students and teachers. I will use these books to organize a reading club for interested students. A book fair in the spring will actively engage students in learning through reading. Students will give presentations about books they receive from Judith’s Reading Room,” said Berry.

Books will be shipped to Judith’s Reading Room libraries in Romania where today English “competitions,” using books provided by the organization are being held in honor of International Literacy Day. The organization’s 93rd library will open in Lahore, Pakistan as a result of books packed tonight. They will be shipped to Alif Laila Book Bus Society, winner of the 2015 Freedom Through Literacy Award.

The 2016 $10,000 Freedom Through Literacy Award application is now available on
line at www.judithsreadingroom.org/2nd-annual-freedom-through-literacy-award/.

2nd Annual Freedom Through Literacy Award

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Judith's Reading Room Freedom Through Literacy Award$10,000 To Be Awarded to Individual Champions of Literacy

 

Judith’s Reading Room announced today that applications for its 2nd Annual Freedom Through Literacy Awards are available. To apply, applicants should visit: WWW.JUDITHSREADINGROOM.ORG/FREEDOM-THROUGH-LITERACY-AWARD.  Deadline for submissions is January 26, 2016. Winners will be publicly announced at the Colonial Association of Reading Educators (C.A.R.E’s) Celebrate Literacy Award Dinner on Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at Cedar Crest College, Allentown, PA.

Judith’s Reading Room will award $10,000 in prize money to individual champions of literacy from around the world — educators, librarians, authors, researchers and non-profit literacy organizations — anyone who has done exemplary work to instill in others a love of reading. The Award carries a top prize of $5,000 and up to five $1,000 runner-up awards.

The Freedom Through Literacy Award recognizes literacy projects and/or programs that are innovative, are measurably impactful, can be replicated, go beyond the individual’s “call of duty,” and clearly express the individual’s philosophy about literacy. The inaugural Award attracted 34 Applications from around the world.

The diverse judging panel of 23 local and international individuals has been established. The panel includes teachers, administrators, executives from multiple disciplines, attorneys, and last year’s grand prize winner, Ms. Basarat Kazim, founder of “Alif Laila Book Bus Society’s Mobile Library,” Lahore, Pakistan.

Judith’s Reading Room, a nonprofit literacy organization, was founded in 2010. Its mission is “Freedom Through Literacy.” The organization has dedicated 91 libraries around the world including 123,417 books worth $1,339,570.

Media and other inquiries contact: Cathy Leiber at 484-661-6151 or  awards@judithreadingroom.org.

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