Sterling library hosts book giveaway

STERLING -- Sterling Junior High and High School students visited the school library this week where each student was able to choose a free book and was treated to a free cookie and hot drink. The “warm up with a good book” event encouraged students to “read a latte” and gave them time to select a book and spend some time leisure reading, said district librarian Amy Brownlee.

“For over a year, we’ve been collecting new and gently used middle school and young adult books with the goal of having enough to gift a book to every student in grades 7-12,” Brownlee said.

The books had broad appeal ranging from sports, history, and science titles to fantasy, romance, and adventure.

“Studies show that the more students read, the better their achievement in all subject areas,” Brownlee said. “Students are apt to read books they have easy access to and select themselves. An event like this is a fun way to encourage literacy and learning.”

Some books were donated, and others were purchased from discount sources like thrift stores and yard sales. Funding for the project came from Booster Club, a grant from the South Central Kansas Library System, and the school district. According to Brownlee, “it was a team effort.”

Librarian Sherilyn McPherson created genre signage to help organize the giveaway books and coordinated the schedule so all students had the opportunity to select a book. Food services coordinator Sandy Skucius and her staff made homemade cookies for the event, and FACS teacher Carol Prather organized and staffed the hot drink bar with the assistance of her classes where they served coffee, cider, and hot chocolate.

Also, English teachers were generous in giving their class time to bring students to the library for the event. Over 450 books were available in the giveaway. Extra books were offered for free to students and staff.