Canton Public Library Wants You to Share Your Favorite Books

From Canton Public Library: Is there a book you know and love? A title you find yourself recommending over and over again? Maybe it changed your life, your outlook or maybe it could make a difference to someone else. Welcome to the 2017 Canton Book Project.

The Canton Book Project is your chance to share your love of reading by giving out books to people in the community who, for whatever reason, don't read for pleasure or own books.

“The Canton Book Project is valuable to me because it allows me to share my enthusiasm about reading with kids who aren't as interested in it,” said Ryen O’Meara, a 2016 Canton Book Project participant who distributed copies of I.Q. by Rowland Smith. Zainab Elsarawy, who distributed Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom, was glad to be involved in the project because she was able to do a great service to the community by spreading knowledge and fun at the same time, she said.

“I work all around the metro area and I have met people who never stepped a foot in the library,” she said. “When I gave them a book from the project, that was a conversation starter about that, and a reading boost and encouragement for them and their families to read,” Elsarawy said. Susan Kennedy, a 2016 Canton Book Project participant, teamed up with a local shop owner to find perfect recipients for the book she chose, Go Dog Go by P.D. Eastman. The shop owner Kennedy linked up with works around the corner from a number of low-income apartment buildings.

“I asked him to help me pinpoint families with young kids that might not have a ton of access to new books,” Kennedy said. “I love that he was involved and very choosy about which families got the books, ones he knew would really benefit.” Applications are now being accepted from those interested in being book givers. Readers of all ages are encouraged to apply and books can be of any reading level.

Interested parties must have a valid library card on file and complete the online application below. Applicants must identify their book of choice and explain in no more than 500 words:

 Reasons for selecting the chosen title

 Why they should be the one to give it out – Tell us how and why you want to spread your passion for

this particular book.

 Intended audience for their book of choice.By applying to be a Canton Book Project book giver you agree, if selected, to:

 Attend the Canton Book Project Reception and Distribution Night on April 11, 2017

 Give out all of your books by May 15, 2017

 Seek out those who don’t regularly read as recipients of your books

 Allow your image and name to be used by the library for promotion about this program Applications are due by 9:00 PM on March 15 and book givers will be announced March 31, 2017. Those interested can find more information and the application at www.cantonpl.org. For any questions, comments or concerns, contact Laura Fawcett at fawcettl@cantonpl.org or 734-397- 0999 ext. 1079.

The Canton Public Library is located at 1200 S. Canton Center Rd. Learn more about the library by visiting www.cantonpl.org or by calling the library at 734-397- 0999.

Photo Courtesy of Canton Public Library