Kids' Books Donated Across Douglas County

From Douglas County: Fifteen hundred books will soon reach the hands of Douglas County’s youngest and newest readers. With the support of a literacy learning grant, little libraries are being delivered to hair salons, barbershops, parks, motels and businesses throughout the community.

Douglas County educators filled these busy neighborhood locations with books because children can often be found waiting in these areas. Once lonely waiting rooms have now been transformed by kid-sized bookshelves packed with colorful books. From barbershops to public waiting areas, the mini-libraries are strategically placed for eager readers to grab a book and start reading.

The school system has also delivered books to Hightower’s Memorial Chapel, Willie Watkins Funeral Home, Cactus Car Wash, and local motels, all areas children spend extended time waiting. Superintendent Trent North is eager to get books into the hands of readers of all ages. “The greatest gift we can give children is the gift of literacy,” he says. “We hope that by sharing our passion for reading, we can prepare students for lifelong learning.”

School-age readers are not the only ones that will enjoy the school system’s literacy gift. The school system has also partnered with WellStar Douglas Hospital to spread literacy to the community’s newest arrivals. One thousand copies of the bestselling children’s classic “Love You Forever” by Robert Munsch have been donated to the hospital. Superintendent Trent North hand-selected the book because he enjoyed reading it to his own daughters.

The book donations are made possible through a grant from the Georgia Department of Education. Douglas County is one of 38 school districts in Georgia awarded the Literacy for Learning, Living, and Leading in Georgia (L4GA) grant by the Georgia Department of Education. The award included $1.6 million to improve student literacy learning.
Superintendent Trent North says he is excited that the literacy grant allows them to put books in the hands of blossoming readers. “Literacy is the foundation for success in all areas. We are thrilled and grateful to have these resources to use for our students. We pledge to use these dollars wisely as we work to increase literacy for all children.”

This press release was produced by Douglas County. The views are the author's own.