Library Book Donation Program Exists ‘For The Love Of Reading’

By Jan Howard

There are many reasons why local residents, businesses, and clubs and organizations are donating books or funds for the C.H. Booth Library’s second annual “For the Love of Reading” program. This week some of those who donated books last year are sharing why they decided to participate in the program.

The program, to increase the book collection of the Cyrenius H. Booth Library to coordinate with the Newtown school curriculum or to reflect special interests of the donors, continues until April 1, when some lucky individual who donated a book will win a piñata stuffed with goodies.

Seventy-three books were donated during last year’s program.

Necole Salveson donated a book in her son Jordan’s name, with a bookplate inscribed with this quote: “What one loves in childhood stays in the heart forever.”

“I always like to look at quotes, and when I see something I like, I write it down,” Ms Salveson said.

“I frequent the library often, and anytime I can help the library, I do,” she said.

Because she and Jordan read together so often, Ms Salveson said she felt donating a book in his name was an appropriate thing to do.

She learned about the program through Hawley School, and sent a contribution for a children’s book.

Ms Salveson said she intends to donate another book this year, possibly a children’s classic, dedicated to her daughter, Madelyn,

“We read every night,” Ms Salveson said. “My kids and I will probably be reading together forever.”

Cathy Dahlmeyer donated to the program last year when Linda Mayo Elsenhans, originator of the program, approached her at the Drug Center. “She came in and asked me if I would donate a book,” she said.

Ms Dahlmeyer, who said she loves to read, was happy to donate, but did not specify a type of book and left that decision up to the library.

 Miranda Pacchiana’s bookplate was inscribed as follows: Donated in celebration of the birth of Isabel Cynthia Pacchiana.

“Part of the reason we dedicated the book to Isabel was because she had a strep infection before she was born. It was touch and go, but antibiotics saved her life. It was important for us to do that [dedicate a book].”

Ms Pacchiana learned about the program from her oldest daughter Emma’s school. “My kids are very big readers. They started very young.

“I read with them, and, of course, Emma reads by herself.” In addition to Emma and Isabel, the Pacchianas have a son, Jackson.

Ms Pacchiana said she would be donating a book this year in memory of her father. “I would request an art book because he was an artist.”

A notice from Sandy Hook School and a story in The Newtown Bee was how Chris Haitz learned about the program last year. A co-leader of Brownie Girl Scout Troop 78, she said, “My Girl Scout Troop was looking for a service project, and I thought it would be nice to support the library.”

The book last year was based on school curriculum. The bookplate was inscribed as donated by Brownie Troop 78. This year the 18-member troop will be donating a book about heritage and immigration, again based on school curriculum.

Ms Haitz said she reads with her children every night, especially Jessica, who is in third grade.

“I still read with my sixth grader, Michelle. We’re reading Little Women. She doesn’t have as much time because of homework, but there’s always time to promote reading.

“We try to do several service projects, and this was one of them,” Ms Haitz said.

Donna O’Connor said she learned about the program during a visit to the library. “I do read a lot. I’m in a book club with eight women, and have three or four books going at a time –– historical fiction, spiritual, or self-help.”

Ms O’Connor’s book last year was dedicated in memory of her mother. She has donated a children’s nonfiction book this year in honor of her father, who she said, “has learned it’s never too late to acquire a love for reading.” He never had time to read when he worked, but now that he is retired, “he is reading all the time.

 “I read to my children every day. It calms them down, and, if I’m not there, while their Dad may tell them a story, they miss me reading to them.” She said she and her two sons, Dylan and Mitchell, just finished reading The Shiloh Trilogy, and one of her sons said he missed reading it. “I hope we continue to read together and discuss things together. I believe books become part of your life, and become like a friend that has moved away, when you’re done.”

The “For the Love of Reading” fundraising effort is sponsored by WIN (Women Involved in Newtown), the library, and the Newtown schools. Ms Elsenhans, who co-chairs the program this year, conceived the idea last year with the hope that the fundraiser would become an annual event. She has seen that hope come to fruition.

Book lovers are encouraged to donate $25 to purchase a book or other educational material for the library. Community groups, businesses, scout troops, parents, and others are invited to purchase a book related to their interests or to school curriculum.

Superintendent of Schools Evan Pitkoff was the first person to donate a book this year.

“This is a good thing to do as individuals,” Ms Elsenhans said. “We need books for general enjoyment as well as school curriculum. It doesn’t have to relate to school curriculum. There are only a few more weeks.

“I hope people will have time to get to the library and donate a book,” she said.

School classrooms have the option as a group to donate a book. Each participating class may choose to inscribe a bookplate with the names of every student in that class as a remembrance of their year together.

At St Rose, for $2 per child, a $1 donation will be made for the school library in addition to $1 for the town library.

This year WIN is also looking for a group of individuals or “corporate sponsors” to each donate $200, which will be pooled together and used to match each $25 classroom donation for up to $200 per school. In this way, the town library and the individual school libraries will be able to purchase educational materials. If interested, call Ms Elsenhans at 270-9445.

Books can be donated in memory of a loved one, for a favorite teacher or child, or to mark special occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, births, or holidays. Cards will be available to send to the loved one or organization to notify them of the gift.

Residents interested in donating a book related to the school curriculum should consult with a librarian. A bookplate can be inscribed to dedicate the book.

This spring, all newly acquired books will be on display in the children’s area of the C.H. Booth Library.

The piñata is on display at the main checkout desk in the library. Just fill out a card when making a donation. Checks should be made out to the Cyrenius H. Booth Library.

For more information, call the library at 426-4533.