No one at Bishop Gibbons can even remember the last time the school could afford to update the reading available in their school library for middle and high school.
As culture, tastes, and technology changed, the books on the school’s library shelves haven’t, and fewer and fewer students were reading them.
Trish White, the head of the school’s English Department, has a dream: to find a way to update the inventory, acquire books about sci-fi, fantasy, culture, mysteries, poetry, historical fiction, and great literature, and present the students with books that are relevant to them.
That would cost a lot of money. The school, based in a poor neighborhood of Schenectady, N.Y., whose students are primarily refugees and inner city kids, couldn’t afford it.
When she and I met two weeks ago (Sue Silverstein urged me to meet with Trish) as part of our refugee work, she told me of this dream, and I had an idea: make one of those Amazon Wish Lists that have been so successful at Bishop Maginn and the Mansion.
It seemed like a good idea at the time. But soon, a better one came along.
In Alaska, a devoted blog reader named Alys Culhane, whom I’ve never met or spoken with, started a non-profit program to get books to children and schools that the students and schools couldn’t afford. She began this by re-cycling books that people were throwing away and collecting them from dozens of different places. She’s closely followed the work of the Army of Good and wanted to help.
Her program is called The Bright Lights Book Project in Palmer, Alaska, and is one of the most stirring stories about doing good and promoting reading I’ve ever heard. The Bright Lights Book Project is a big hit, the idea has taken off, and Alys wants to expand beyond the boundaries of Alaska.
Alys told me her dream was to link up with the Army of Good and expand her program, which has just received a substantial grant.
This week, she and Trish White both got their wish.
Alys read my blog about the wish list we were planning on to get the books Trish White wanted; she messaged me immediately and offered to get all the books Trish wanted to re-vitalize the Bishop Gibbons school library. I was planning to ask for help but didn’t expect it would come from Alaska.
We accepted the offer, and Trish started putting together a list. When Trish sent it to me, I gulped. Hundreds of books were on it for middle and high school grades; I couldn’t imagine Alys could get us all of them. It would cost thousands of dollars. But I underestimated her.
This morning, Alys messaged me to say the first cartons were on their way, and the rest would follow. Below is a brief description of Bright Lights from their blog.
“The Bright Lights Book Project is a Palmer, Alaska-based organization. Our volunteers salvage, sort, clean, categorize and distribute books locally and statewide. Books come from Valley Community for Recycling Solutions (VCRS) and many other sources (including school and public libraries). We currently stock 15 bookcases in Palmer, Wasilla, and Sutton. We also ship books to villages off the road system. The bookcases are located in places frequented by the general public and students. The books are free and need not be returned. Recipients include those of all ages, genders, and reading levels, focusing on providing books to children and young adults. “
What a great and timely idea.
So many schools are desperately trying to upgrade their libraries during a time of significant cultural change and low budgets. Reading, the teachers tell me, is more critical than ever. While politicians wage stupid and useless culture wars, teachers are fighting a different war – making reading relevant.
Trish says this upgrading is essential to getting contemporary students to love reading, a necessary tool for life.
I was nearly speechless at this good news. And I am eager to see the books when they start arriving. It does feel like a miracle coming down from above.
Alys is sending them at postal media rates; she is paying the shipping costs.
I might ask for help if she can’t find some of the titles, but from what I gather from Alys, that may not happen. Seeing these two beautiful ideas from such dedicated people come together is lovely.
This has been a banner month for the Army of Good: we got a family out of Ukraine and to America; we bought truckloads of art supplies for Sue Silverstein, Maria asked for fabric pieces, and boxes are arriving at the school, and now this, a chance to reinvigorate the school’s very lovely but outdated library.
Hail the Internet. Hail the blog. Hail, Trish, and Alys. Hail the Army Of Good. You’ve done it, Trish; you’ve updated the school library. You’ve done it, Alys; you and the Army Of Good have bonded for life.
Thanks, thanks, thanks.
As a retired reading specialist, this is THE best news. I have boxes of books, mostly from my fifth-grade teaching days, that have been stored in my relatively dry basement since I left that grade level 18 years ago. I need to find a similar thing to do with mine…and make my husband happy to clear out the basement! 🙂
I was shocked to read in James Patterson’s book, “The Stories of My Life” that over 50% of American children are reading below grade level. I believe reading is a skill that leads the way to opportunities in life.
OMG
One of the biggest difficulties that seniors who are downsizing face is re-homing their books.
This is an awesome idea and resource.
Next request: musical instruments, especially pianos.
SO hard to re-home, even as new pianos are expensive and difficult to obtain.
This story has overcome the gloom I’ve felt from watching the news. As a member of our local library board I know how important it is to keep a library updated. A huge pat on the back and a hug for everyone involved in this effort. Well done!
Wow!! This is so awesome!
You just never know where a blessing will come from do ya?
Prayers for the new school are being answered. Slowly but surely.
I’m excited to see how the refugee students react to the new school.
Looks like the Army of Good is doing it’s best to make them comfortable.
God bless you all.
Thanks Jon, Maria, Sue & all the others.
You all are doing really great things.
I’ve often heard that you should envision what you need and then wait expectantly. I’ve never seen results come so quickly and so fortuitously. Namaste to all involved.
I’ve heard that too, Jean, I think there’s something to it. But I don’t think it’s all that easy. Envisioning and hard work seem to pan out for me…