Dear Editor:
Starting with a zero budget, and ending with nearly $7,000 which allowed for incentives, t-shirts, supplies, refreshments, craft materials, a day at Camp Liberty for 137 children, and enough money left over to send to all nine branches and the Main Library for end-of-Summer Reading Program celebrations, was an object lesson in determination, dedication and resilience for library staff and the 558 children who registered to participate in the 2011 Summer Reading Program of the Jersey City Free Public Library.
Naturally, we were all heartbroken with the news that the severely reduced library budget didn’t cover any program expenses; but we all got to work, contacting the many businesses, non-profits, and individuals that have helped in the past, and received such support! The SRP Committee was determined to have a Summer Reading Program much like the one we’ve presented for the past 30 years, and not having a SRP was not an option!
This year, I oversaw the program and worked with an experienced team of committee members: Susan Stewart, Liz Cartaina, Dolores Reyes, Julie Metri and Deyana Hopson. They are an awesome group to work with on any committee! We asked branches and the Main library staff to solicit donations from patrons, parents, or to fundraise – and they did! We received donations/grants from the following:
Hudson City Lions Club $ 500
Hispanic Heritage Foundation/Sonia Araujo, for incentives/crafts $2,000
Opus Jr. /Paul Valleau & family $1,000
Jersey City Free Public Library Foundation, Inc. /Priscilla Gardner for t-shirts $ 750
Capital One Bank/René Moody who acquired a grant $1,500
Pizza Master/Central Avenue, who donated 17 pizza pies
Valerie Woodson/Heights patron, for getting the donated pizzas
Ms. Ellen Simon of Jersey City $1,000
Carmine Tabone/Camp Liberty, for making Camp Liberty available for SRP 2011
Chrissy Roberts, singer, for her “gratis” performance
Bonnie Corcia – Bonky the Clown – for her “gratis” performance
And, so many more patrons who contributed $1, $5, $10, $20, $25 and $100 checks and cash.
With a total enrollment of 412 children, 109 young adults, and 37 pre-readers, for a grand total of 558 children, the 2011 Summer Reading Program encouraged the fun of reading, which translates into better preparation when school begins again in September.
The most amazing statistic yet, remains the total number of books read by Jersey City children over summer 2011 in the Jersey City library’s program: children, 11,674 books / young adults, 1,114 books / pre-readers, 37 books. Altogether, this was a grand total of 12,825 books!
The Library staff congratulates all participating children for their accomplishments by presenting them with a Certificate of Completion. We’re elated in knowing that they are better equipped for the school year due to the Summer Reading Program. We look forward to next year by having more children register and complete the program; on our part we will go the extra mile to make sure our children have a safe haven to go to; a place to meet friends and share the joys of reading!
Sincerely,
Sonia Araujo
Assistant Library Director
Jersey City Free Public Library