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Essex Public Library receives 600 new books from ‘Grow Your Library’ program
Kids in Essex, Missouri, will be getting new books to read thanks to the Kids Need to Read’s “Grow Your Library” program.
KNTR supplied 600 new books to the Essex Public Library, with a cover value of $8,650. Joseph Foster, president of the Friends of the Essex Public Library, noted that the main sources of books for the local library is donations and grants.
KNTR board members Gary and Tina Mlodzik, inspired by the Mlodzik’s shared love of reading, family and public libraries, created the Grow Your Library program which delivers free books and story time to local libraries and children during the couple’s travels.
As a retired elementary school librarian, Tina Mlodzik stresses the importance of supporting public libraries, especially in communities where children may not own their own books.
“Giving children access to a large quantity and varied selection of books has many benefits,” Tina explains. “The more books a child sees, the more motivated they are to read. Borrowing books from the library teaches sharing and builds respect for things that belong to others.”
Grow Your Library will hold a special story time event at the Essex Public Library from 6-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 2. The library is located at 110 North Cypress St. in Essex.
Each child in attendance at story time will receive a free book and a Highlights magazine courtesy of KNTR.
After the event, each child will have the opportunity to donate a book in their name on behalf of KNTR. This no-cost opportunity teaches the children to use their own love of reading to help the Essex Public Library earn even more free books in the future.
“I developed the Grow Your Library program to introduce a giving culture in the youth we meet at literacy events,” said Gary Mlodzik. “Putting a book in the hands of a child and allowing them to expand their horizons is magical. Allowing that child to make a small effort in order to share that magic for future generations is a priceless lesson. It is my hope that the children will be proud of the book donations made in their name and tell their friends, thereby further encouraging both literacy and philanthropy.”
When asked about the motive behind the project, Kids Need to Read Executive Director Jessica Payne stated, “A library is the heart of any community. Kids Need to Read’s Grow Your Library program not only invests in these indispensable bastions of literary treasure, it also encourages and connects the communities served by each library in order to inspire support for future generations. Children who participate in this program learn that they too can make a difference.”
Essex is the 37th community served by Grow Your Library since its inception in 2015.