Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy introduced the Bright Red Bookshelf program in Williams Lake in November 2009 after an enthusiastic reception in 100 Mile House.
The success of the program depends on dedicated volunteers. Bookshelves are built by volunteers in their homes or through the carpentry programs at Peter Skene Ogden and Columneetza secondary.
The Williams Lake Association for Community Living stores, cleans and prepares books for distribution. Twice a week volunteers from the association tidy and fill some of the bookshelves and bring in donated books.
The very busy bookshelf at the courthouse is maintained by Sandra Hawkins and the Sons of Norway. The idea and plans for the Bright Red Bookshelf program are from the Family Reading Partnership of Ithaca, New York.
The website www.familyreading.org has wonderful ideas for reading and family literacy.
CCPL has other programs such as Books for Babies, adult tutoring, and Clear and Plain Language for businesses.
Our newest undertaking, Financial Literacy training, begins this month in both Williams Lake and 100 Mile House. Visit our website at www.caribooliteracy.com for a complete listing of our services, sponsors, contacts and funding.
We are always in need of more gently used children’s books for the bookshelves. We have ongoing collection sites with our major book drive running this month.
A big thank you to all the people who have taken the time to find and donate books at the schools and other sites, particularly the public library.