2024 Holiday Book Drive Announcement

NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT: Cathy Leiber
www.JudithsReadingRoom.org

Barnes & Noble Wyomissing Holiday Book Drive To Benefit Judith’s Reading Room 

Buy a Kid a Book and Help Lift Literacy Rates Everywhere!

October 18, 2024 — Barnes & Noble Wyomissing has selected — for the 5th year in a row — Judith’s Reading Room as its Holiday Book Drive Charity.   The Holiday Book Drive kicks off on November 1, 2024 and continues through mid-December.

Wyomissing’s Barnes & Noble selected Judith’s Reading Room, a local nonprofit literacy organization, as their Holiday charity because it has consistently demonstrated that it knows how to get books into the hands of the most needy.

“Over the years, Barnes & Noble customers have been extremely generous in purchasing an extra book or two during the Holiday Book Drive.  Giving a book to a less fortunate child is one of the best gifts you can give. If all kids can read on grade level, then classrooms operate at a higher level.  Leave no one behind this holiday season by participating in the Wyomissing Barnes & Noble Holiday Book Drive,” said Cathy Leiber, President, Judith’s Reading Room.

Based in Berks County, Pa,  Judith’s Reading Room is a global literacy nonprofit organization that was founded in 2010 in the memory of Judith F. Krug, a distinguished librarian and cousin to the founders.  Since its inception, the organization has dedicated 107 libraries (and counting!) in 24 countries filled with 133,000 books worth more than $1.4 million.

For more information, visit the website at www.judithsreadingroom.org.

 

 

Outstanding Service Award — Barnes and Noble

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

 

Emmaus High School Bookfair

NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT: Cathy Leiber
www.JudithsReadingRoom.org

Emmaus High School Bookfair 3/9/2024

Today, you will be doing an enormous service for teens 12-15 years of age in Edinburgh, Scotland.  These boys & girls are some of the most vulnerable in Scottish society who come from very tough backgrounds, often care backgrounds, and who have missed out on a lot of formal schooling.

Today’s Bookfair will benefit Judith’s Reading Room.

Judith’s Reading Room, a local Pennsylvania non profit literacy organization, established in 2010, has as its mission “to enrich lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy.”  To date, the organization has dedicated 106 libraries in 23 countries with over 133,000 donated books.

Today, you will help us establish our 107th library in our 24th country dedicated to boys & girls ages 12-15 in collaboration with the non profit HeavySound.org in Edinburgh, Scotland.  This is a great organization — it is not a ‘formal’ school, but it does offer these kids an outstanding educational and activity-based program.

The BEST BOOKS for teens who read way below grade level, are GRAPHIC NOVELS!  Help us obtain GRAPHIC NOVELS!

Judith’s Reading Room will dedicate its 107th library with Heavy Sound in Edinburgh, Scotland the week of August 12, 2024.  Your hard work to encourage Barnes & Noble patrons to be generous will result in a spectacular library.

 

Barnes & Noble Customers – “A Season of Giving”

NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT: Cathy Leiber
www.JudithsReadingRoom.org

 Barnes & Noble Customers Define the True Meaning of 

“A Season of Giving”

December 20, 2023 — Blandon, Pa — Judith’s Reading Room, a literacy non-profit, applauds the staff and customers of Barnes & Noble Wyomissing, Pennsylvania for supporting it as their Holiday Book Drive Charity.  This holiday season, book lovers donated over 150 children’s books with a cover price value of $1,438.

The organization requested that employees emphasize the donation of teen books.  Their efforts proved successful and, as a result, three organizations that provide live-in services for at-risk youth will receive books for their Judith’s Reading Room Book Clubs.  Namely:  Children’s Home of Easton, Pa; Harkins’ House, Portland, Or; and, Louisiana United Methodist Family & Children’s Services, Ruston, La.  Each of these organizations stress the importance of literacy as a significant protective factor for children who come from families dealing with overwhelming issues such as loss of jobs, unsafe neighborhoods or family trauma.

Barnes & Noble Wyomissing, PA Store Manager, Paul Weisser

Barnes & Noble Wyomissing, PA Store Manager, Paul Weisser

“Our gratitude cannot be measured.  We appreciate the store management for choosing Judith’s Reading Room as their 2023 Holiday Book Drive Charity and profusely thank the associates for understanding the role books can play in helping kids manage tough times.  Their effort to encourage patrons to donate a book will give kids the unique, life-changing experience of participating in a book club,” said Cathy Leiber, President, Judith’s Reading Room.

Judith’s Reading Room’s mission is to enrich lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy.  We have fulfilled that mission since 2010 by establishing 105 libraries in 23 countries (and counting!) with over 132,000 books donated.  Applications for the 2024 Freedom Through Literacy Award may be found at www.judithsreadingroom.org.  Deadline for applications is February 5, 2024.

 

 

2023 Holiday Book Drive Announcement

NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT: Cathy Leiber
www.JudithsReadingRoom.org

Kids Benefit from Barnes & Noble Holiday Book Drive

Judith’s Reading Room plans to establish kids’ book clubs

November 17, 2023 — Thanks to Barnes & Noble Wyomissing, Pa, Judith’s Reading Room will once again support schools and after school programs with children’s books.  For the 4th year in a row, this B&N location selected Judith’s Reading Room as its Holiday Book Drive Charity which runs from November to December 7th.

Most people have heard the words, “Book Club,” but how many relate those words with kids?  Since 2015, Judith’s Reading Room has been a  leading proponent of book clubs for children.  Why?  Because book clubs offer children the chance to discuss a book without judgment, listen to different opinions, assume leadership while asking probing questions and to generally understand what’s going on around them.

Judith’s Reading Room reported on the power of  kids’ book clubs  when it produced the documentary, ‘Cracking Open the Universe,’ that highlighted the importance of literacy as a significant protective factor for at-risk youth.  Featured at the 2015 LV Film Festival, it showcased the reality of children who come from families dealing with overwhelming issues such as loss of jobs, unsafe neighborhoods or family trauma.  At the invitation of the Children’s Home of Easton, Easton, Pa and Harkins’ House in Portland, Or, the organization’s film crew witnessed kids in the throes of book club sessions.  View the documentary HERE.

The Holiday Book Drive runs through December 7, 2023.  “Generous B&N customers are encouraged to donate a book at the check out counter and kids will get more than a book this year — they’ll get the unique, life-changing experience of participating in a book club,” said Cathy Leiber, President, Judith’s Reading Room.

Judith’s Reading Room’s mission is to enrich lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy.  We have fulfilled that mission since 2010 by establishing 105 libraries in 23 countries (and counting!) with over 132,000 books donated.

To apply for the 2023 Judith’s Reading Room’s ‘Freedom Through Literacy Award’ and to learn more about its newest Awards, visit www.judithsreadingroom.org.

 

2021 Holiday Book Drive ….Books Not Toys, For a Change *UPDATED*

Books Not Toys, For a Change..Info & Updates
Barnes & Noble Patrons in Wyomissing Help Improve Lives

Judith’s Reading Room, a 501(c)3 based in eastern PA was selected — for the 2nd year in a row — as the Barnes & Noble Wyomissing PA 2021 Holiday Book Drive Charity.  From November 1st, and running straight through the holiday season — patrons at the location were able to donate a book or two at checkout for a child in need and forever change that child’s life.

As an alternative to the expected toy shortage this holiday season, Judith’s Reading Room suggests that families consider buying books not toys — books for your family and for families who cannot afford to buy them.  Barnes & Noble makes this act of generosity easy.

“Since Judith’s Reading Room’s inception in 2010, Barnes & Noble has placed confidence in our ability to get donated books into the hands of less fortunate children here and around the world,” noted Cathy Leiber, President, Judith’s Reading Room.  She added, “It is impossible to state how emotional it is for families to receive new books.”

Barnes and Noble Holiday Book Drive for Judith’s Reading room UPDATES!

Thank you for all of these wonderful photos! They really tug on the booksellers’ heartstrings when they look through them!
Michael Burger
Barnes & Noble
Wyomissing PA 2021
@BNReadingPA

APRIL 24, 2022 …

Where does the time go?  We finally have our Cat Tales- Kids Reading to Cats program back in full swing.

As promised. I am sending you some photos of the kiddos reading the Barnes and Nobles books that your organization donated to us.  The first photo is of a group of Girl Scouts that came to read to the cats and were delighted to see all the new books to choose from.  I had them hold up some of their favorites for the photo.

I’ve attached several photos of our readers in action.  …most of the photos had to be taken through the windows of the rooms so we didn’t disturb the readers or the cats.  In one of the photos you’ll see how the kittens all swarmed around the little boy reading to them.  In another photo you will see a black kitten trying to escape in the backpack of one of the readers.  Don’t worry we check backpacks, purses and sweatshirts with large pockets before anyone leaves the shelter to make sure they don’t have a stow-away with them.  Many times the reader has to do double duty –reading and petting at the same time.   Enjoy!
Thanks again for sending us the books.
Karen Brown
Caring for Cats

FEBRUARY 28, 2022 … These are the photos (and video!) from Resita City, Romania. This wraps up the sharing of the distribution of the 2022 Holiday Book Drive books Judith’s Reading Room donated thanks to the generosity of patrons at the Wyomissing Barnes & Noble – thanks always to Michael and his B&N colleagues.

FEBRUARY 17, 2022 … Photos of Barnes & Noble books we donated to award-winning teacher, Joicki Floyd, East Side High School, Newark, NJ.  Joicki tells us the 10th and 12th grade students “were excited” and “chose their own book.”

FEBRUARY 1, 2022… Fantastic — adorable — inspiring photos from our 2020 Grand Prize Freedom Through Literacy Award winner, Chris McGilvery, in Texas! Please see the video for the children’s lovely thank you!

JANUARY 30, 2022… Here photos from Rev. Dr. Leoda Topps, pastor of the SME Church in Mississippi.
Dr. Topps, a Ph.D. In Education, helps children with their homework after school.

JANUARY 27, 2022… The books arrived in Chinle, AZ, Navajo Nation…finally! The woman in the photo is Alvira, who put the books from Barnes & Noble into the temporary, first-ever, mobile library on the reservation, that serves 128,000 residents.

JANUARY 24, 2022…  Photos of books being distributed by Little Read Wagon, Norman, Oklahoma.

JANUARY 21, 2022… Please see these exceptional photos of books — donated during the 2021 Barnes & Noble Holiday Book Drive — that were shipped and received by Derek Witmer’s 2nd grade in Harrisburg. We are thrilled that the books are loved so much!

JANUARY 21, 2022… Below please see a few photos from Mosaic Preparatory Academy. The generous books from Barnes & Noble have made a noticeable difference there!

Hi Cathy!
Please find attached the photos of the wonderful book donations you provided us through Barnes and Noble!
In the photos is one of our scholars who “purchased” a SpongeBob book, our library display so that kids could browse the new books for the vending machine, and some of the books featured in the vending machine!
Thank you so much for your generous donations. The kids are so excited!
Ariel
Professor Ariel Birdoff (she/they)
School Library Media Specialist
Mosaic Preparatory Academy

JANUARY 19, 2022… JRR donated 46 YA books to Children’s Home of Easton yesterday.  The books were hand-picked out of the generous 2021 Barnes & Noble Holiday Book Drive.  In May, 2012, JRR established a library at CHE with an initial donation of 450 books.  An important part of that donation was the commitment to support their first-ever Book Group.  Each month for years, JRR bought 10 copies of a book they chose for this literacy-rich experience.  The Book Group is still alive and well all these years later thanks to the superb dedication of CHE’s Marlene Arnholt.

JANUARY 11, 2022… Attached are photos from Harkins House, a juvenile residential center near Portland, Oregon where many YA books were sent. Thank you again to Barnes & Noble for selecting Judith’s Reading Room as their 2021 Holiday Book Drive Charity.

JANUARY 8, 2022 … These photos are ADORABLE!!  Thank you very much for sending them.  And, thank you for following up with photos of the children reading aloud to the kitties!

NOVEMBER 19, 2021...Thank You…Thank You…Thank you…to all the holiday shoppers who have purchased books for Judith’s Reading Room. So far, five large boxes have been picked up and will be sent to many of our libraries and Freedom Through Literacy Award winners throughout the world. Thank you Barnes and Noble, Wyomissing, PA for choosing us as your holiday charity.

 Books Not Toys, For a Change

NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT: Cathy Leiber
www.JudithsReadingRoom.org

Books Not Toys, For a Change

Barnes & Noble Patrons in Wyomissing Help Improve Lives

October 26, 2021 —  Judith’s Reading Room, a 501(c)3 based in eastern PA is proud to announce its selection — for the 2nd year in a row — as the Barnes & Noble Wyomissing PA 2021 Holiday Book Drive Charity.  Beginning November 1st, and running straight through the holiday season — patrons at the location can donate a book or two at checkout for a child in need and forever change that child’s life.

As an alternative to the expected toy shortage this holiday season, Judith’s Reading Room suggests that families consider buying books not toys — books for your family and for families who cannot afford to buy them.  Barnes & Noble makes this act of generosity easy.

“Since Judith’s Reading Room’s inception in 2010, Barnes & Noble has placed confidence in our ability to get donated books into the hands of less fortunate children here and around the world,” noted Cathy Leiber, President, Judith’s Reading Room.  She added, “It is impossible to state how emotional it is for families to receive new books.”

Judith’s Reading Room’s mission is to enrich lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy.  The organization has established 102 libraries in 22 countries serving tens of thousands of kids.

To learn more about Judith’s Reading Room and its annual Freedom Through Literacy Award visit www.judithsreadingroom.org.

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Judith’s Reading Room a B&N 2020 Holiday Book Drive Charity

Dear Michael,
 
Thank you very, very much for naming Judith’s Reading Room the 2020 Holiday Book Drive charity for your Barnes & Noble store, located at Broadcasting Square, Wyomissing, PA.
 
Scott and I were amazed that in the first week of the drive, your generous patrons donated over 400 books to serve children with limited access to books!  We can’t imagine how many more books will be donated over the entire holiday season!!
 
These two pictures show how we got to work, immediately, to determine the exact perfect book for the exact perfect recipient organization!  Charmaine Tsosie, Navajo Nation in Chinle, AZ will receive a huge mix of books to add to her mobile library… Rev. Dr. Leoda Topps, Pastor AME Church, South Haven, MS will receive books featuring black children or written about African American people …. Chris McGilvery, Canyon, TX will receive elementary to middle school books….. Basarat Kazim, Lahore, Pakistan (currently visiting family in the USA) will receive the “ very early readers” for her to hand-carry in her luggage to Lahore, Pakistan … Dawn Bush, Casa Guadalupe, Allentown, PA will receive birth-to-five books for parents in the WIC program.
 
Including the packages with multiple books (we count each book as a separate book) we arrived at a grand total of 486 books with a cover price of $3,533.  
Again, Michael, thank you from all of us — and thank you in advance from all the children, all over the USA and the world for encouraging your patrons to donate books this holiday season.  Scott and I will be back as soon as you have another batch of books for us to pick up!
 
Cathy
@BNReadingPA 
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