Barking Points: Book drive supplements library

Students at Lind-Ritzville Middle School are discovering that there is no greater gift than that of knowledge.

This winter, eighth grade National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) members Emily Rosen and Sierra Kiel conducted a book drive that was not only an exemplary opportunity for students to experience the worth-while feeling of donating, but also helped to equip the middle school with supplies to make reading more enticing. Rosen and Kiel’s NJHS book drive benefited the LRMS library and has students enthusiastic about reading.

In honor of February being national “I love reading month”, Rosen and Kiel collected gently used book donations to supplement current library selections.

Kiel has high hopes for the drive: “About 50 or more [donations] would be great!”

Janet Sanger, the Lind School District librarian, said, “I feel the book drive will have a positive impact on the students at Lind-Ritzville Middle School. It gives students an opportunity to share books that they have read and enjoyed <and> it provides an opportunity for our library to add new or gently used books to the library collection.”

The drive was conducted from Jan. 26 through Wednesday, Feb. 12. “It keeps us updated on what our middle school students are reading and encourages students to widen their reading experiences,” Sanger said.

The book drive also has many students optimistic for the future of the library. Sixth grade student, Molly Hane, said, “It will give the library a chance to get more books.”

Garrett Frederick shared his positivity when he expressed how he was looking forward to having new books there with the old ones.

Sharon Anderson said, “I think that it will be good to have more books to read. It will be good to have more choices.”

The book drive gives students the opportunity to reconnect with literature, which has Sanger excited.

“Reading gives students the opportunity to learn about new ideas, promotes literacy, develops critical thinking skills, and takes them on new and exciting adventures,” she said. “Hopefully the students will want to explore the new books in our library, and it may encourage students who haven’t visited our library to come in and check out a book.”

Kiel and Rosen’s book drive embraces the spirit of national “I love reading month”, and shows students that it can be fun to expand their literature horizons.

Lind-Ritzville Middle School looks forward to enjoying the fruitful new additions to their library!