In Newark: United Way's Library Program Reaches 26 Schools

From UWEWH: On Wednesday, February 22, the United Way of Essex and West Hudson (UWEWH) hosted the spring My Very Own Library program (MVOL) at 26 public schools in the City of Newark, NJ. Chancellor Avenue School, one of the partner schools, hosted the extra-special assembly event with local officials and four children’s authors to celebrate the spring kickoff of the program.

“My Very Own Library gives students the opportunity to explore books by selecting those they are interested in reading,” said Catherine Wilson, President and CEO of the United Way of Essex and West Hudson. “Self-choice and voice is critical to students’ learning and MVOL provides students the ability to build their own home libraries. There is no better way to foster a love of reading than to allow students to choose the books they want to read during their free time.”

Schools across the City of Newark hosted “Spring Into Reading” themed events in observance of World Read Aloud Day, Black History Month, and Read Across America Day. All 16,500 participating students will select three, free books each to take home to read over Spring Break.

Throughout the school year, all 26 MVOL partner schools will host Scholastic Book Fairs, where students select books to take home to build their own home libraries. A total of 165,000 books will be added to home libraries throughout the school year.

“We are very grateful to our partners at My Very Own Library for their continued support of our schools' efforts to improve literacy by increasing access to engaging materials," said Superintendent Christopher D. Cerf of Newark Public Schools. “Instilling a passion for reading in our children at a young age is essential and will give them the creative and critical thinking skills they need for long-term academic and career success.”

The Kids & Family Reading Report from Scholastic shows a majority of kids (89%) agree their favorite books are the ones that they have picked out themselves and 88% say that they are more likely to finish books that they pick out. MVOL is unique because the program doesn’t simply hand out books; rather it allows children to choose the books they want to read from their schools’ book fairs where they can shop among the newest and most popular books.

“At Scholastic we know that the right book can open a world of greater understanding, self-motivation, and joy for students,” said Alan Boyko, President of Scholastic Book Fairs. “By working with My Very Own Library and their partner organizations, Scholastic is able to reach more children, many who may never have owned their own books, and help them discover the power and joy of reading.”

Select schools also received visits from award-winning children's authors, Eric Luper, Gita Varadarajan, Varian Johnson, Gavin Brown, and WBGO's Kids Jazz@Play concert series.

Image via Pixabay