Effort Underway to Stock Libraries' Shelves

Though Easley’s new middle school isn’t slated to open its doors until 2014, efforts are already underway to make sure Easley middle school students have access to well-stocked libraries.

Easley’s Gettys Middle School PTO has launched a “Bucks for Books” library fundraising campaign to raise money to ensure that both middle school media centers are adequately equipped to serve the needs of students.

“Our library is heavily used on a daily basis and is an important part of our students’ education,” says Christina Connell, media specialist at Gettys Middle School. “In a typical year, more than 30,000 items are checked out.” 

To stock the new middle school’s library, some books in the current Gettys collection will be transferred to the new school.

However, in most cases, only one copy of a title is present and books in a series cannot be separated. In addition, there is the ever-present and costly need to replace old, worn and outdated books.

“The average copyright age of a nonfiction book at Gettys is 15.7 years instead of the recommended 10 years,” says Tricia Seltzer, co-chair for the Bucks for Books campaign.

On September 24 from 5-8 p.m. a kick-off event will be held for the Bucks for Books fundraiser at Mutts BBQ, 1020 Powdersville Rd. in Easley.

Ten percent of all sales and 100 percent of all tips will be donated to the Bucks for Books program.

Many of the media center’s books are aging and the number of books per students (11) puts Gettys in the “at risk” category, according to state standards.

Additional supplemental funding is critical to ensure that our students have the resources they need at both Easley middle school libraries.” 

Based on the average cost of new books, approximately $61,600 is needed to bring the current Gettys media center to “basic” state standards in terms of both the age of the collection as well as the number of books per student, while $214,500 is needed to stock a totally new media center at the basic level.

The PTO hopes to raise a least $50,000 to provide a solid foundation for both school’s libraries.

“These students are the future of our community,” says Sandy Ross, co-chair for the Bucks for Books campaign. “We are asking both community members and businesses to help ensure our students have the quality media centers they need to be academically successful.” 

Contributions to the Bucks for Books campaign may be mailed to Gettys Middle School PTO, 105 Stewart Drive, Easley SC 29640. Please make checks payable to “GMS PTO” noting “Bucks for Books” in the memo line.

For every $25 donated a book will be placed in one of the middle school libraries, with a bookplate noting you as the generous donor.  Donors may also wish to designate someone in whose memory or honor the book is being given. 

All donations will be acknowledged with a receipt. Donations are tax-deductible

For more information, please visit www.gettysptobucksforbooks.com.