April 4, 2025 —Judith’s Reading Room, the global literacy nonprofit organization founded in 2010 in the memory of Judith F. Krug, a distinguished American librarian and cousin to the organization’s founders, announced its latest donation of young adult (YA) and Graphic Novels to ‘Harkins House,’ a nationally recognized model program and short-term temporary residential shelter located in Hillsboro, Oregon near Portland.

 Juvenile Service Supervisor, Martha Villegas provided a “wish list” of novels not to be destined for the book shelf, but rather to play a starring role in the classroom where students are often pigeon-holed into selecting a book they don’t like to write a book report.  ‘Harkins House’ teacher Chelsea Fryer sought out a local librarian to help come up with a list of perfect books for the youth.  Ms. Fryer said, “Our wish list is a combination of graphic novels and urban fiction that is school appropriate.”

‘Harkins House’ was invited to participate in Judith’s Reading Room’s “15 Libraries to Celebrate Our 15th Anniversary in 2025” and received today 37 curated books at a cover price value of $486.  Ms. Fryer had this to say about the hand-picked books: “Graphic Novels are good for helping students overcome reading barriers as the pictures help fill in the context, and urban fiction is definitely the most popular genre for our youth.”  A perfect example is author Jason Reynolds whose books Long Way Down, Ghost, and Graphic Novel, included in today’s donation, capture the struggles that youth deal with, but do so in an encouraging, uplifting and school appropriate way.

Judith’s Reading Room has been donating books to ‘Harkins House’ since 2012 when it formally established its 27th eponymous library with a donation of 219 children’s books.  Over the years, the organization has continued to expand its library and as of today, Judith’s Reading Room has provided 824 books at a cover price of $9,453.  “We are committed to supporting ‘Harkins House,’ as research indicates that literacy is a significant protective factor for at-risk youth and is strongly correlated with reducing recidivism,” said Cathy Leiber, President, Judith’s Reading Room.  She added, “For that reason alone, Judith’s Reading Room has sustained its efforts to provide books to ‘Harkins House’ in order to pave a pathway to building social skills and literacy.”

Judith’s Reading Room
Established in 2010 in the memory of Judith F. Krug, cousin to the founders and a distinguished librarian who served as Director for Intellectual Freedom at the American Library Association for 40 years, Judith’s Reading Room is celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2025 with a bold initiative:  establish or enhance up to 15 Judith’s Reading Room libraries to be filled with book collections for the enjoyment of their recipients.

Its mission is:  “To enrich lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy.”  Judith’s Reading Room has achieved that mission by dedicating 111 libraries in 25 countries (and counting!) with 134,000 books valued at $1.4 million.

“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 1 
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

For more information about Judith’s Reading Room’s 111 libraries in 25 countries and our Awards, please visit www.judithsreadingroom.org.