Student efforts fill the shelves
Friday, Feb. 26, 2010
When sophomores in Linda Riedel's honors English class at Eudora High School heard stories about how badly the high school library needed books — and how the shrinking school budget was falling short — they thought they could help. But what started with a modest goal of collecting spare change to buy books quickly grew into efforts that have begun to transform the library.
Pennies for Pages was the idea hatched in Riedel's class as students were discussing ways they could make a difference. Sophomore Kate Dennis said they began by placing jars in a few spots around the school, and putting in a few school announcements. And as students watched the totals begin to grow, they also enjoyed seeing the books that librarian Gretchen Schreiner purchased with the proceeds.
"Ms. Schreiner put posters out by the library," said sophomore Whitney Weld, "to show the new books that were being added. And they put laminated cards inside the books that she bought, saying that the book was donated by Pennies for Pages."
And as Pennies for Pages began to grow, so did the discussions about how else to help fill the library's shelves. It was in one of those discussions that the EHS English teachers decided to have students practice their letter-writing skills by requesting books from their favorite authors. And that small idea turned into something big as the boxes of books started arriving.
Junior Makenzie Beebe got one of the first responses. The very next morning after e-mailing House of Night author P.C. Cast, she received a reply.
"In my letter to her, I told her why I was writing to ask for the books and why I liked her series," Beebe said. "Her reply said that she would be happy to help, and she also included a note to her publisher to send us the entire series in hardback. I couldn't believe it."
Freshman Tate Long mailed a letter to author John Grisham, asking for a copy of Long's favorite Grisham book, Bleachers, as well as another.
"In the letter, I told him that I found his writing creative and that he really kept me reading," Long said. "I told him what I like — action, adventure and something suspenseful. So he also donated Street Lawyer because he thought I'd like it"
Long pointed out another special part of the donation he got: his hardcover books also bear the famous author's autographs inside.
The success that Pickering and Long had are just two examples. Students' letters have resonated with authors and their publishers, who have generously donated hundreds of books to the EHS library. One student's request netted 90 paperback copies of classic titles; several requests for one book were filled by an entire series. And some authors who replied also sent souvenirs, keepsakes and, in one case, two bags of candy. Even authors unable to send books often replied and corresponded with their high school fans.
The buzz from all the pennies, book deliveries, letters and e-mails further inspired EHS staff members to take up the cause, replacing their traditional holiday gift exchange with donations of 200 books and $300. And when word got to Douglas County Bank, bank officials offered to donate two books on personal finance, along with a check for $500. The latest total on Pennies for Pages topped $420.
"It has been amazing," Schreiner said, of the ever-growing collection in the library she manages. "It has changed everything this year."
Students are checking out books more than ever -- 550 check-outs per month, up from an average of 180 per month last year — and they are dropping by the library every week to see what new books have arrived. And for avid readers like Danielle Pickering, a junior who was also successful in getting her favorite book series donated by the authors, the growing library is a great thing.
"I remember the beginning of the year," Pickering said, "and half the shelves were empty. I could hardly find anything to read. Now I come in here, and I'm always picking up something new to read. It's awesome."
