Tag: Easton

2024 Holiday Book Drive Announcement

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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.

 

 

Dozens of Books Donated To Children’s Home of Easton

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NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT: Cathy Leiber
www.JudithsReadingRoom.org

 

What do #1 New York Times authors, Newbery Medal winners and National Book Award Winners Have in Common ?

Judith’s Reading Room Donates Dozens of Books To Children’s Home of Easton

January 10, 2024 — Easton, PA — Judith’s Reading Room, a literacy nonprofit organization established in 2010 in the memory of Judith Krug, a librarian, this week donated dozens of books by #1 best-selling authors, Newbery Medal and National Book Award winners to Children’s Home of Easton (CHE) in Easton, PA marking 12 years of sustained investment in the future success of at-risk youth.

Throughout the years, the organization has donated to CHE over 2,000 books valued at nearly $22,000 to augment their library under the direction of Marlene Arnholt, with the goal of instilling a love of reading by providing outstanding young adult literature.

“Establishing libraries filled with the right books for both advanced and struggling readers and organizing book clubs has been at the core of our literacy work around the world since 2010,” said Cathy Leiber, President, Judith’s Reading Room.

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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 dedicating 105 libraries (and counting!) in 23 countries with nearly 132,500 books donated worth $1.4 million.

In addition to establishing libraries around the world, Judith’s Reading Room supports its annual Freedom Through Literacy Award.  Teachers, librarians, authors, researchers, educators are encouraged to apply.  Applications for the 2024 Freedom Through Literacy Award are posted on the website www.judithsreadingroom.org.  Deadline for receipt of applications is February 5, 2024.

 

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Barnes & Noble Customers – “A Season of Giving”

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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

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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.

 

Author Jerry Spinelli Chats with Judith’s Reading Room and Teens from Children’s Home of Easton

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On May 5, 2013, members of the Judith’s Reading Room Board of Directors hosted teens from the Children’s Home of Easton on a trip to Malvern, Pa. to meet Newberry-winning author Jerry Spinelli. The group spoke to the author at the People’s Light and Theater before attending the play adaption of Spinelli’s novel Stargirl.

jspinelli2Spinelli, who won a Newberry Award in 1991 for Maniac Magee and a Newberry Honor in 1998 for Wringer, spoke with the group for an hour and half. Topics ranged from his first rejected novels to his zeal for pet rats. The teens from Children’s Home Of Easton, all of whom are members of the Judith’s Reading Room weekly book club, had just finished reading his novel Stargirl. The teens asked questions and had their books signed.

When asked why he writes for children and young adults, Spinelli pointed out that writes books about children but not specifically for children. “I let the kids rise up to the story,” Spinelli emphasized. He’s also an advocate for losing with grace. In our times, he explained, we feel a need for everyone to win all the time, to the point that when our children and young adults meet their inevitable first failure they feel lost.

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On the subject of writing, he spoke about how he had sent his first novel to forty publishers, all of whom had rejected it. All four of his first novels were rejected. His fifth book, Space Station Seventh Grade, was published in 1982. His overarching message: “Never give up.”

Judith’s Reading Room appreciates Jerry Spinelli for taking the time to meet and  speak with the teens at Children’s Home of Easton and members of the Judith’s Reading Room.  For more information on Jerry Spinelli, Star Girl and his other books including the ones below, please visit his website www.jerryspinelli.com.

Stargirl by Jerry SpinelliSpace Station Seventh Grade by Jerry SpinelliWringer by Jerry SpinelliManiac Magee by Jerry SpinelliHokey Pokey by Jerry Spinelli

Mobile Library and 450 Books donated to Children’s Home of Easton

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Donated 450 books and a mobile library cart valued at $5,926 to Children’s Home of Easton, Easton, PA, a “home away from home” for at-risk youth who cannot live at home through no fault of their own. The donation includes a literacy-rich initiative: the inauguration of a Judith’s Reading Room Book Group. The reading initiative will benefit 150 children and their families each year.

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