Putting Books into the Hands of Kids: Books make an important and lasting difference in the lives of children by shaping and expanding their imaginations and values. However, many kids have never owned a book to call their own. Your library has the chance to change that thanks to a collaboration between the Mid-Hudson Library System and the Empire State Center for the Book in January 2016.
Research shows that children achieve superior outcomes in school and in life when they have books of their own. This consistently results in:
• faster rates of literacy acquisition;
• higher grades and test scores;
• better adaptation to school and more regular attendance;
• higher graduation rates;
• increased participation in higher education; and
• improved quality of life.
Brand new books are collected through the Holiday Book Drive at Poughkeepsie Barnes & Noble. Last year over 6,000 books were collected. The book drive calls attention to the importance of books to every child in our area, ages 1-18. In January 2016 MHLS will serve as a distribution hub for brand new books that can be picked up by your library to distribute to the children of your community. Public libraries, schools (and school libraries) and social service agencies/organizations are all eligible to sign-up for one of the distribution dates in the MHLS Auditorium: January 20, 21, 26, 27, 28. Registration is required through the MHLS online calendar
The Give a Kid a Book distribution program is brought to you by the Empire State Center for the Book. They sponsor programs that highlight our state’s literary heritage and call attention to the importance of books, reading, literacy and libraries.
