Chautauqua Institution’s Eventide Event

NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT: Cathy Leiber
www.JudithsReadingRoom.org

Judith’s Reading Room featured at Chautauqua Institution’s Eventide Event
Curated book collections and role of book clubs highlighted

July 25, 2024 — Chautauqua, NY — Last night the Alumni Association of Chautauqua Institution’s Literary & Scientific Circle (CLSC) hosted the founders of Judith’s Reading Room, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit headquartered in eastern PA, at their once-a-week Eventide Event.  The organization’s mission and work over the last 15 years melded perfectly with Week Five’s theme:  Our Greatest Challenges (that we can actually do something about.)

Since its founding in 2010, Judith’s Reading Room has dedicated 106 libraries in 23 countries with books curated for the exact audience being served.  For example, books written by or about Indigenous people were selected for its library serving the Navajo Nation in Chinle, AZ.  Books by or about black children were provided for its libraries in Tunica and Sunflower, MS.

The audience was engaged in a detailed conversation about the mechanics of opening libraries and filling them with curated books and offered suggestions for outreach in Kansas City, MO and  other US states.  The co-founders offered its insights into how average Americans can actually do something about “Our Greatest Challenges:  Promoting Literacy.”

The CLSC is the oldest continuous book club in the United States dating to 1878.  Over 8,400 people enrolled the first year.  Reading Circles proliferated around the country and by the turn of the century, over 10,000 circles had been formed.  It came as no surprise to the audience that the founders, members of CLSC, also emphasized the significant importance of their home town book club, Club Read of Easton, PA.  Co-founder, Cathy Leiber, a member of Club Read for 20 years, catapulted the creation of book clubs at residential homes for at-risk youth.  To date, Judith’s Reading Room maintains book clubs in connection with its libraries at such homes in three states:  Louisiana, Oregon and Pennsylvania.

To date, Judith’s Reading Room has established 106 libraries in 23 countries with more than 133,000 books donated.  On August 10, the organization will dedicate its 107th library in Edinburgh, Scotland in collaboration with The  Scottish Book Trust and Heavy Sound, a local non-profit serving disadvantaged youth 12-15 who are below grade level reading.  On November 8, Judith’s Reading Room will open its 108th library in Prague, The Czech Republic, with partner Pink Crocodile serving children with multiple disorders.

For more information on the role of book clubs for at-risk or reluctant readers, visit the website at www.judithsreadingroom.org,  Click on ‘ABOUT US’ and scroll down to Initiatives to see the documentary “Cracking Open the Universe” produced by Judith’s Reading Room.

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Chautauqua Institution’s 2024 Summer Assembly

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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Announcing – Pen Pals Across the World

NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT: Cathy Leiber
www.JudithsReadingRoom.org

Judith’s Reading Room Announces a Global Collaboration

“Pen Pals Across the World”

Africa’s Ivory Coast and New York’s E. Harlem Students Share Life Stories

February 10, 2023 — Judith’s Reading Room applauded today a global collaboration between two of its “Freedom Through Literacy” Award winners: Mr. Toti Jean Marc Yale, founder and CEO of the NGO Education and English For You, based in Abidjan, Ivory Coast and Ms. Daliz Vasquez, Principal, Mosaic Preparatory Academy, East Harlem, New York who agreed to name each other’s schools as “Pen Pals.”

“Pen Pals Across the World,” was an idea spawned by Judith’s Reading Room and Mr. Yale, whose work with impoverished primary school children in the French-speaking African nation inspired the organization to honor him with a 2022 Freedom Through Literacy Award Honorable Mention.  The organization subsequently made a donation of $600 to purchase English language books for the students.

Ms. Vasquez, her Vice Principal Ms. Wilson and numerous Mosaic Preparatory Academy teachers in East Harlem, NY, for their part, enthusiastically agreed to reciprocate by inviting their eager scholars to write letters to their new friends in this west African nation.  In 2021 and 2022 Mosaic’s former principal, Dr. Lisette Caesar won a Freedom through Literacy Award Honorable Mention and Board Option Prize, respectively.

“We estimate that initially 60 children from each location will participate in the Pen Pal project,” said Cathy Leiber, President, Judith’s Reading Room.”  She added, “Our aim is to figuratively shrink the 4,933 miles in distance between Abidjan and East Harlem by illustrating that families, friendships, concerns, fears and hopes are universal.”

To kick start the program and to assist the students in English, Judith’s Reading Room has provided funding for Mr. Yale to purchase 60 English dictionaries for each student participating in “Pen Pals Across the World.”

Mr. Yale wrote,

“I have the honor and immense pleasure on behalf of our community students and all the volunteers of the NGO Education and English for You to say to you from the bottom of my heart a big Thank You. For this program, we have worked in the past with students from the following countries: U.S, Canada, Mexico, Ukraine and Spain and we have never received support like Yours.  Thank you so much Judith’s Reading Room for all the Happiness you offer to the children of the world. I’m a living witness.” 

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GRAND PRIZE – 2022 Freedom Through Literacy

Grand Prize Award – $2,500

Fayola Fair – “Reading for Black Lives Project”
JAMAICA, QUEENS, NEW YORK

“Literacy is an essential aspect of social change and liberation.” So declares 24-year-old Fayola Fair, educator, community organizer, and our 2022 Freedom Through Literacy Grand Prize Winner.

Fair’s “Reading for Black Lives Project” aims to promote this belief by providing sustainable access to free books and literacy resources by Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) for their communities in and outside New York City. Her efforts include organizing pop-up book fairs to funding books by Black authors to hosting an annual Free Book Fair in Queens. An essential element running through them all is access, relevance, and inclusion for communities who historically have not seen their lives and stories represented in books.
 
The “Reading Through Black Lives Project” has already distributed over 1,000 books and supported over 26 Black-owned bookstores, even earning a 2021 NYC Mayor’s Award for Excellence in Community Service. We are honored to contribute to Fair’s tireless commitment to her community with the 2022 Freedom Through Literacy Grand Prize.
 

“I am honored to have the opportunity to continue providing free books and literary resources to my community. Receiving the Grand Prize for the 2022 Freedom through Literacy Award allows me to expand this work and continue to reimagine the impact of the Reading for Black Lives Project on BIPOC communities across NYC and beyond. Overall, working to support our learning to sustain our liberation.”         Fayola Fair

Board Option Award-Dr. Lisette Caesar-2022 Freedom Through Literacy

Board Option Award – $200

Dr. Lisette Caesar – “Book Vending Machine”
EAST HARLEM, NEW YORK

A Judith’s Reading Room Honorable Mention awardee in 2021, Lisette Caesar is recognized with a Board Option Award for her unrelenting optimism and passion to build a reading culture during her tenure as principal at Mosaic Prep Academy. Her newsworthy project, “Book Vending Machine,” capitalizes on a reward system to honor good citizenship with tokens that are used to “purchase” a new book, much like one would purchase a candy bar out of a vending machine. Her incredible and inspiring project has been shared with at least five other principals and we are sure to see its impact grow.

Board Option Award-Pamela Laskin-2022 Freedom Through Literacy

Board Option Award – $200

Pamela Laskin – “Poetry at the Border”
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK

Pamela Laskin, a lecturer at City College, established “Poetry at the Border” to encourage children whose families are seeking asylum to write poetry about their experiences. Poetry enables children to understand trauma following horrible events like hurricanes (Puerto Rico), children who are escaping atrocities (Honduras, Nicaragua and Myanmar), and children who are surviving life while housed in camps at the border. For her work to enable children to unload their grief and to empower voices through poetry, we honor Laskin with a 2022 Board Option Award.

 

“Your silence will not protect you.”; Audre Lorde. “Thank you, Cathy Leiber, on behalf of Judith’s Room, and also thank you to the board for awarding me the Board Option award for my work engaging children, at the border and the Ukraine, in the art and craft of writing poetry. This significant literacy work will help give poetic voice to children in refugee camps and children in the Ukraine (a war-torn country). Poetry Outreach is grateful to expand literacy and also hope-through poetry–to children facing these challenges.”
Pamela Laskin

Judith’s Reading Room at Mosaic Preparatory Academy

On Friday, Feb. 11th, Scott and Cathy Leiber represented Judith’s Reading Room, the non-profit that made the day long event at  Mosaic Preparatory Academy featuring author Ty Jackson.

Bringing together 2020 Freedom Through Literacy Judith’s Award Winner, Ty Allan Jackson and 2021 Honorable Mention winner Lisette Caesar.

Setting up at Mosaic Preparatory Academy, East Harlem, getting set up with librarian Ariel Birdoff and Ty Allan Jackson.

Kids raise hands because they like money!

On Giving Tuesday. Pennsylvania Non-Profit Packs Book Vending Machine at Mosaic Prep Academy in East Harlem, NY

On this Giving Tuesday, Judith’s Reading Room, a nonprofit literacy organization based in eastern Pennsylvania with offices in New York City, joined hands with its 2021 Freedom Through Literacy Award winner, Dr. Lisette Caesar, Principal, Mosaic Preparatory Academy in East Harlem to “stuff” her school’s first-of-its-kind Book Vending Machine with 50 children’s books.

Judith’s Reading Room donated the books thanks to generous patrons at the Wyomissing, PA Barnes & Noble.  That store chose Judith’s Reading Room for the 2nd year in a row as its “Holiday Book Drive Charity.”  Mosaic Prep Academy is just one of a a dozen recipient organizations that Judith’s Reading Room has selected to receive the donated books. Today’s Giving Tuesday gift of 50 hand-picked books is valued at $436.

The Book Vending Machine is the brainchild of Dr. Caesar in response to her students’ less than enthusiastic passion for reading following the shutdown of schools as a result of COVID-19.  To spark a renewed passion for reading, scholars earn coupons for being good Samaritans or for reading a certain number of books.  They exchange coupons for a token to unlock a book of their choice from the bright blue Book Vending Machine.  

To entice even the youngest scholars, Judith’s Reading Room selected “I Can Read!” books as well as Caldecott Medal winners such as Drummer Hoff, and all-time favorites including The Story of Ferdinand and The Runaway Bunny.  “The key to excite a child to read is simple.  “You need to give them books that they want to read, that they choose to read,” stated Cathy Leiber, President and Co-Founder, Judith’s Reading Room.

Judith’s Reading Room’s mission is to enrich lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy.  That mission has been fulfilled by establishing 103 libraries in 22 countries with nearly 131,000 books donated worth over $1.4 million. Its annual Freedom Through Literacy Award offers cash prizes to champions of literacy around the world.  Visit www.judithsreadingroom.org to learn more about previous winners and how to apply for the 2022 Award beginning in early January 2022.

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Judith’s Reading Room Packs Book Vending Machine

On Giving Tuesday. Pennsylvania Non-Profit Packs Book Vending Machine at Mosaic Prep Academy in East Harlem, NY

On this Giving Tuesday, Judith’s Reading Room, a nonprofit literacy organization based in eastern Pennsylvania with offices in New York City, joined hands with its 2021 Freedom Through Literacy Award winner, Dr. Lisette Caesar, Principal, Mosaic Preparatory Academy in East Harlem to “stuff” her school’s first-of-its-kind Book Vending Machine with 50 children’s books.

Judith’s Reading Room donated the books thanks to generous patrons at the Wyomissing, PA Barnes & Noble.  That store chose Judith’s Reading Room for the 2nd year in a row as its “Holiday Book Drive Charity.”  Mosaic Prep Academy is just one of a a dozen recipient organizations that Judith’s Reading Room has selected to receive the donated books. Today’s Giving Tuesday gift of 50 hand-picked books is valued at $436.

The Book Vending Machine is the brainchild of Dr. Caesar in response to her students’ less than enthusiastic passion for reading following the shutdown of schools as a result of COVID-19.  To spark a renewed passion for reading, scholars earn coupons for being good Samaritans or for reading a certain number of books.  They exchange coupons for a token to unlock a book of their choice from the bright blue Book Vending Machine.  

To entice even the youngest scholars, Judith’s Reading Room selected “I Can Read!” books as well as Caldecott Medal winners such as Drummer Hoff, and all-time favorites including The Story of Ferdinand and The Runaway Bunny.  “The key to excite a child to read is simple.  “You need to give them books that they want to read, that they choose to read,” stated Cathy Leiber, President and Co-Founder, Judith’s Reading Room.

Judith’s Reading Room’s mission is to enrich lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy.  That mission has been fulfilled by establishing 103 libraries in 22 countries with nearly 131,000 books donated worth over $1.4 million. Its annual Freedom Through Literacy Award offers cash prizes to champions of literacy around the world.  Visit www.judithsreadingroom.org to learn more about previous winners and how to apply for the 2022 Award beginning in early January 2022.

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Honorable Mentions-2021 Freedom Through Literacy

Honorable Mentions

Lisette Caesar – “Mirroring Our Kids
EAST HARLEM, NEW YORKLisette’s steadfast efforts to create libraries that reflect her students
and their lives earns
her an Honorable Mention.

CBS NY clip on Lisette Caesar’s “brainchild” Book Vending Machine at Mosaic Prep Academy in NY

Simon Ke – “Mobile Library Project”
SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA

We honor Simon Ke and the Mobile Library Project at Anjali House for reaching
over 850 children in
Siem Reap with an Honorable Mention.

2021 Freedom Through Literacy Awards Announced

NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT: Cathy Leiber
www.JudithsReadingRoom.org

2021 Freedom Through Literacy Awards Announced

Winning Applications Highlighted Exceptional Creativity and Impact

 

July 22, 2021 — Ms. Angela Chalkiopoulou, Limassol, Cyprus, declared Grand Prize Winner of the 2021 Freedom Through Literacy Award.   Chalkiopoulou, an educator, dominated the field of applicants with her literacy project, “Alice in Writer’s Land,” winning her the top prize of $2,500.  A colleague described Angela as “a future literacy marvel and an excellent example of how creative teachers can turn inspiration into action, changing the way children perceive themselves towards literacy.” Alice in Writer’s Land collaborates with artists, educators, writers and illustrators—introducing the children of Cyprus to the writer’s way of thinking. “Literature is the absolute source of inspiration, the joy of human intellect, when combined with ingenious art and multimedia toolkits, it can transform a classroom into a small collaborating and learning society, offering the prospect of a hopeful future for all of us,” said Chalkiopoulou.

 

Ms. Joicki Floyd, Newark, New Jersey wins the 2021 Freedom Through Literacy “Judith’s Award.”    Floyd, a high school teacher whose literacy initiative “Y.O.U.T.H.” (You Open Up Then Heal) seeks to transform the lives of inner city children and their families through reading is awarded $1,500.  Joicki’s creative program includes the use of Socratic Seminars and discussion panels with Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.  She articulated the essential idea that in books, youth who lack hope and positive influences, can find positive motivation, examples and influences.  “If you build libraries in the hearts of the youth, you will empower them with points of reference that may change the trajectory of their lives,” stated Floyd.  The Judith’s Award is named in the memory of Judith F. Krug, a librarian who dedicated her career at the American Library Association to protecting the freedom of speech.

 

At the discretion of Judith’s Reading Room’s Board Members, each year, $1,000, is set aside for Board Option Awards to recognize high-scoring applicants.  The winners of the 2021 Board Option Award are:

 

Ms. Sue Goatley, nonprofit leader, Children in the Wilderness, “Jabulani Community Literacy Programme,” in the Zambezi Region, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.  Goatley, a 2019 Board Option Award winner and recipient of Judith’s Reading Room’s 100th library dedicated July 2021 at Ziga Primary School, has once again captured the judges’ attention with her acute description — and solution — of adult illiteracy.  She writes, “Seeing a young child struggle learning to read can often seem like an uphill battle.  However, a truly heart-breaking scene is watching a young teen, new into high school, staring blankly at a page.”  Goatley’s community literacy program at Jululani Primary School is an evening program available to teenagers and adults with any level of literacy.  It also offers an opportunity for teachers to earn additional income.  For her work to de-stigmatize adult illiteracy in isolated and rural Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe, Goatley wins a 2021 Board Option Award in the amount of $400.

 

Ms. Lisa Gerard, founder, Little Read Wagon, in Norman, Oklahoma.  In 2020, Gerard had a kernel of an idea that grew into an ambitious grassroots outreach effort to supply new and donated books to children living in “book desert communities” in Norman and surrounding areas.  Lisa built a mini “library” at a local laundromat then added a lending library and a volunteer program to collect and distribute culturally relevant books at community events.  In just one year, Gerard has distributed more than 10,000 books to children and adults.  Ms. Breea Clark, Mayor, City of Norman endorsed Gerard adding, “This outreach program engages and inspires a great love for reading with a passionate ambition in bridging the literacy gap in the Oklahoma City Metro area.” For her joyous, passionate and creative approach to getting books into the hands of her fellow citizens, Gerard wins a 2021 Board Option Award in the amount of $300.

 

Mr. Derek Witmer, 2nd Grade Teacher, “Diversity and Inclusion Library,” in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  Described by his Principal as “a conscientious and exemplary teacher, a true difference maker and a positive force in modern education,” Witmer initiated a collection of literature — a curated library — that touches on important topics such as general diversity, acceptance, gender identity, familial make ups, and SEL.    This 2nd grade teacher didn’t stop there.   Also included are stories where a student has a parent in prison, families dealing with immigration, language barriers and stories dealing with the loss of a parent.  He enhanced the library by creating resources and discussion cards for teachers.  It is no wonder that other schools in his district have reached out to him for help in adopting his Diversity and Inclusion Library.  Derek believes that “Literature has the power to change the world, and I’m glad to be able to have an impact on the upcoming generations.”  In recognition of his compassion toward students who experience and struggle through things that most of us can never truly understand, Witmer wins a 2021 Board Option Award in the amount of $300.

 

To encourage and propel certain 2021 applicants to continue their efforts and to re-apply for the 2022 Freedom Through Literacy Award, the judges declared the following Honorable Mentions (no cash award):

 

Ms. Lisette Caesar, Educator, “Mirroring our Kids,” in East Harlem, New York.  Caesar’s project is to fill her classroom libraries with books that have protagonists that look like the children she educates.  She emphasizes, “Kids asking us to provide more books about their culture or with characters that look like them —  is a first for us.” In recognition of Caesar’s belief “that it is important that impressionable black and brown kids see themselves in positive ways in the books they read,” Judith’s Reading Room, through the Honorable Mention designation, wishes to give Caesar global recognition and encouragement.

 

Ms. Simon Ke, Executive Director, Anjali House, “Mobile Library Project,” in Siem Reap, Cambodia.  Anjali House’s Mobile Library used tuk-tuks (a common mode of transportation in Cambodia) to reach over 850 students in remote villages.  COVID restrictions have prevented its expansion. In recognition of their community outreach, Judith’s Reading Room seeks to bring global attention to the literacy work currently “stopped in its tracks” in this well-known tourist destination near Angkor Wat, where Judith’s Reading Room dedicated a library in May 2013.

 

Judith’s Reading Room’s mission is to enrich lives and societies by proactively encouraging Freedom Through Literacy.  To date, the organization has fulfilled that mission by establishing 101 libraries (and counting!) in 22 countries with 130,500 books worth over $1.4 million.

 

The Freedom Through Literacy Award was initiated in 2015 as the organization’s signature event.  Including the 2021 winners, the organization will have disbursed $43,500 in cash awards to 40 unique champions of literacy.  Freedom Through Literacy Award winners — 2015-2021 — hail from the United States, the Philippines, Bhutan, Pakistan, Rwanda, Cambodia, Mexico, Australia, Zimbabwe, Greece and Cyprus.

 

 

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