The libraries at several buildings within the Bartlesville Public School District got a boost earlier this month due to a Waldenbooks book drive.
Librarians from all 12 schools within the district were invited to submit book lists containing titles which their particular buildings were interested in obtaining. Some of the books were popular titles with youngsters while others fit directly into the curriculum for particular classes.
Employees at the Bartlesville Waldenbooks – which is located in the Washington Park Mall – then pulled the titles which they had on hand off of the shelves and put them on display behind the checkout counter. When customers stepped up to make a purchase, they were given the opportunity to buy another title which would then be donated to a school. Waldenbooks donated several titles – as well as some gifts such as Beanie babies – to supplement the drive.
All told, more than 70 titles were donated to the district.
“The book drive was very helpful to us,” said Mary Birkett, the librarian at the Bartlesville Mid-High School, which received approximately 20 books courtesy of the event. “We have to stretch our budget as far as we can, so it's nice to get new books in this way that we can add to our library.
“Waldenbooks is always very willing to help out our schools.”
This year was the first in which Waldenbooks held a book drive benefitting the Bartlesville Public School District. A similar event is a distinct possibility next year. The year's drive spanned from Aug. 1 – Sept. 1.
The prices of the books which customers purchased for the schools generally ranged from around $3 to 16.
Waldenbooks' Michelle Rader coordinated the event and passed out the books to the respective schools.
“When Michelle came by with the books, several students were in the library,” noted Cheryl Shoemake, the library media specialist for Madison Middle School. “They were so excited, it was like Christmas morning.
“We greatly appreciate the generosity of Waldenbooks and the citizens of Bartlesville who supported the book drive.”
Rader was quite pleased with the way the book drive turned out and enjoyed visiting schools in the district to distribute new titles.
“The book drive was great,” said Rader. “When I went to the schools, I wanted so badly to put even more books on their shelves.
“I'd like to do this again next year.”
Waldenbooks in Bartlesville will hold three “Teacher Appreciation Days” from Oct. 3-5. During that span, all teachers and employees of an area school district will receive 25 percent discounts off of their purchases.
Students at the Bartlesville Mid-High – (from left) Waylon Glover, Mattie Lewis, Abby Barnes and Dale Ham – read over some titles which the school received recently through a book drive conducted by Waldenbooks in Bartlesville.