Newly opened library giving away books to children

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal  - Wednesday, June 18, 2008

By Kendall Wheeler
 

Twenty-two copies of "Charlotte's Web," bean bags stacked 4 feet high, and an old-fashioned iron bathtub filled with pillows.

What more could a child want?

Maybe a book of his or her own to keep.

Hope Community of Shalom fulfilled those dreams Tuesday at the opening of the refurbished Books for Kids library inside Asbury United Methodist Church at 2005 Ave. T.

Nancy Clopton, executive director of Hope Community of Shalom, said the board of directors decided to refurbish the old library to create an environment where kids can express an excitement for reading. She said children can choose one English or Spanish book a week to take home and keep, or they can exchange books in good condition multiple times a week.

Staci Gray/A-J Photo

From left: Amanda Odom, 4, Janae Odom, 5, and Alex Burns, 6, share a tub of pillows as they settle in to read their new books at the Hope Community of Shalom library.

"We know it can be difficult for parents to even get their children here," Clopton said, "and we didn't want the parents to worry about keeping track of what needed to be turned in. So we decided to open a library that gave books away."

Clopton said the old library was a dark room with older books intended for adults. With the help of a grant through the local CH foundation and 400 hours of work by 23 volunteers, the library was transformed into a bright, cheerful space with more than 1,800 books for children to choose from.

"We hope to make each child's future a little brighter and easier by helping each one become a stronger reader," Clopton said.

Lizabeth Burns, a stay-at-home mom from Lubbock, said she brought her three children to the opening of the library to encourage them to develop a love for reading.

"This is fantastic," Burns said. "The children are more likely to read a book multiple times if they are able to take it home."

Steve Rogers, board chair of Hope Community of Shalom, said he is excited about the opening of the library because children are the main focus of the program.

"A love of reading can have a profound influence on a person's life, and I believe we are opening a child-friendly place where children can come and learn," Rogers said.

Clopton said donations of used books and donations to purchase new books are accepted. For more information on donating, visit the Hope Community of Shalom Web site at www.hopeshalom.org.