Category: News

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

 

 

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

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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Chautauqua Institution’s 2024 Summer Assembly

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NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT: Cathy Leiber
www.JudithsReadingRoom.org

Chautauqua Institution’s 2024 Summer Assembly
to Feature Judith’s Reading Room

Chautauqua Literary & Scientific Circle’s Alumni Association Extends Honor

April 15, 2024 — Chautauqua Institution’s Alumni Association of the Chautauqua Literary & Scientific Circle (CLSC) has scheduled Judith’s Reading Room as the featured presentation July 24, 2024 during Week 5 of the Summer Assembly, the theme of which is ‘Our Greatest Challenges (That We Can Actually Do Something About).’

Cathy & Scott Leiber, co-founders of Judith’s Reading Room, will focus on one of the world’s greatest challenges — promoting global literacy to eradicate illiteracy — bringing to life the mission of their nonprofit by highlighting extraordinary examples of where and how books have changed lives.  Specific examples will include the establishment of the Judith F. Krug Memorial Library at Camp Phoenix, Kabul, Afghanistan and the creation of a bi-lingual library in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  The presentation will showcase how determined individuals can actually do something about solving a seemingly unsurmountable challenge.

Judith’s Reading Room, a global nonprofit literacy organization, was founded in 2010 in the memory of Judith F. Krug, one of America’s most distinguished librarians and first cousin to the founders.  Judy served as Director for Intellectual Freedom at the American Library Association for 40 years.  She founded Banned Books Week in 1982.

The mission of Judith’s Reading Room is to ‘enrich lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy.’  According to Cathy Leiber, co-founder, “the organization is perfectly aligned with Week 5’s theme and with the values of the CLSC as it both dedicates eponymous libraries around the world — 106 in 23 countries, and counting! — and annually awards cash prizes to global champions of literacy — teachers, authors, librarians — who have done something exemplary to instill in others a love of reading.

Chautauqua Institution, with a history steeped in the literacy arts, is home to the Chautauqua Literacy & Scientific Circle.  This year Chautauqua Institution celebrates its historic 150th anniversary.  Founded in 1878, the CLSC is America’s oldest continuous book club.  Cathy (Class of 2019) and Scott (Class of 2024) are proud members of the CLSC.

Chautauqua Institution, located on the shores of Chautauqua Lake in southwestern New York, has served as a destination for artists, educators, thinkers, and faith leaders since 1878.  The Summer Assembly features nine themed weeks during which renowned speakers and authors address the topic and encourage dialogue and critical thinking.  Meanwhile, attendees enjoy the luxury of exploring concepts, artistic expressions and religious beliefs with persons of different views under the umbrella of civil dialogue.

For more information on Judith’s Reading Room and its annual ‘Freedom Through Literacy Awards,’ visit www.judithsreadingroom.org.

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State College, PA Teacher Wins Literacy Award

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NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT: Cathy Leiber
484-661-6151
www.judithsreadingroom.org

State College, PA Teacher Wins Literacy Award

The Delta Program’s Allison Lauded for Efforts to Teach ‘Advocacy to Teens’

Updated: May 16, 2024
|April 10, 2024 — State College, Pennsylvania’s English teacher, Amy Allison, winner of the 2024 Judith’s Reading Room’s Freedom Through Literacy ‘Judith’s Award’ for her project titled, “Advocacy for Teens Class” was honored yesterday in front of her classroom at State College ASD’s Delta Program.  Fellow teacher, Virginia Squier who nominated Allison, Superintendent Curtis Johnson and two members of the school board, Amy Bader and Deborah Anderson were present.

Amy Allison is presented with Judith’s Award by Judith’s Reading Room co-founder Scott Leiber

Judith’s Reading Room, a global 501 (c) 3 literacy organization, was founded in 2010 in the memory of Judith F. Krug, a distinguished librarian who served as Director, Office for Intellectual Freedom at the American Library Association for 40 years.

The Freedom Through Literacy Award, given annually since 2015, honors individual champions of literacy from around the world — teachers, librarians, authors, researchers, educators — who have done exemplary work to instill in others a love of reading.  The ‘Judith’s Award’ specifically honors the applicant who best mirrors the intentions, the dreams, the insistence, the passion of Judith F. Krug.  To date, $58,600 has been awarded to 71 champions of literacy from 18 countries, including 11 US states.

The judges selected Allison to win the ‘Judith’s Award’ for teaching teens how to engage in civic and cultural literacy by first learning about their local library as a foundation for how to advocate an issue.  Krug’s life work and legacy includes Banned Books Week, established in 1982, that celebrates the First Amendment and draws attention to banned and challenged books.

Scott Leiber, Krug’s first cousin, spoke about her life-long dedication to advocating for the First Amendment especially as it affected her fellow librarians, who even at that time were subject to attack from those who disagreed that a certain book should be made available.  Leiber likened the work of Allison to that of Krug saying, “like you, Judy was a remarkable leader in the struggle to educate the public and advocate for issues concerning the right to the free expression of ideas.”

Scott and Cathy Leiber, co-founders of Judith’s Reading Room, presented Allison with her trophy and cash prize of $1,500.  Allison informed the gathering that the prize will be spent in support of a student-led advocacy project.

UPDATE: May 9, 2024 – Delta Program Teacher Recognized for Advocacy Class Delta Program High School District News

 

The mission of Judith’s Reading Room is to enrich lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy.  The organization has fulfilled that mission by establishing 106 libraries (and counting!) in 23 countries with over 133,000 books donated worth $1.4 million.

Applications for the 2025 Freedom Through Literacy Award will be available at www.judithsreadingroom.org beginning October 7, 2024.  Deadline for Applications is February 3, 2025.

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Judith’s Reading Room Announces 107th Library

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NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT: Cathy Leiber
www.JudithsReadingRoom.org

Judith’s Reading Room announces its 107th Library
Graphic Novels Will Enrich Lives of “Care-Experienced” Youth in Scotland

April 2, 2024 — Judith’s Reading Room announced today that it will dedicate its 107th library in its 24th country in collaboration with Heavy Sound, Cockenzie, East Lothian, in the eastern central Lowlands of Scotland on August 10, 2024.

Judith’s Reading Room, a 501 (c) 3 literacy organization founded in 2010 in the memory of Judith F. Krug, a distinguished librarian and cousin to the founders, reached out to The Scottish Book Trust, Edinburgh, Scotland, to help identify a school or organization that would benefit from a library.  It’s CEO, Marc Lambert, informed that “ If you are able to support Heavy Sound with books, you’ll be sure to be directing your charitable activities to those children who really need it most.”

Heavy Sound serves the most vulnerable, at risk and hardest to reach young people in Scotland, most of whom have poor/no literacy.  The nonprofit organization recognizes the barriers this causes throughout their lives, and therefore aims to inspire and support them to become readers and writers.  “We are absolutely thrilled that Judith’s Reading Room is supporting Heavy Sound by providing books that will enrich the lives of the people we support, said Linda Bendle, CEO Heavy Sound.

Working with The Scottish Book Trust and Heavy Sound, Judith’s Reading Room decided to focus on graphic novels — a genre shown in academic research* to be a positive literacy ‘stepping stone’ to help reluctant readers in their discovery of the joy of reading.  According to the American Library Association, to get teenage reluctant readers reading, ‘we need to find the elusive reading material that provides interest.’

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*”Teenage Reluctant Readers,” Young Adult Library Services, American Library Association, Summer 2005.  Courtesy Ana Luhrs, Librarian, Lafayette College, Easton, PA

A comprehensive list of graphic novels, provided by The Scottish Book Trust, will guide  Judith’s Reading Room in its purchases to create the graphic novel library at Heavy Sound, serving youth ages 12-15.

Judith’s Reading Room  

The mission of Judith’s Reading Room is to ‘enrich lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy.’  It has fulfilled that mission by establishing 106 libraries (& counting!) in 23 countries with over 133,000 books donated worth $1.4 million.  Its signature event, ‘The Freedom Through Literacy Award,’ annually recognizes and honors champions of literacy from all disciplines — teachers, authors, educators, researchers, nonprofit literacy organizations — from around the world.  To date, over $58,000 has been awarded to 71 champions of literacy from 18 countries.

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