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Newton library begins
book giveaway program
By Lisa Rose
March 30, 2007 | NEWTON -- The town library began
a new program, "Make a Friend for Your Birthday," Monday.
During the year, residents will receive a book for their
birthday.
Residents can choose from the book duplicates received
through a Volunteers of America grant obtained by Glenna
Peterson and Sarah Rigby. The books were given to the
library for free with the stipulation that they would
be given away, said Cleo Griffin, head librarian.
The library received a similar grant last year and
gave books to all the children in the reading program.
However, this year the library is eager to give books
to everyone "from ages zero to 100," Griffin said.
Residents will receive a call from the library assistant
the week before their birthday to be reminded of the
program. Griffin said that having a library in town
makes it convenient for children to ride their bicycles
to pick up their birthday book.
With more than 20,000 books and seven computers, the
library is a community center for Newton, said Griffin.
She said when the library started in 1998 with only
$50, she made up her mind that the entire county would
be welcome to its resources.
Griffin said that the library has received many donations
to build the collection of books since then. A 2002
donation from Alan M. Hofmeister of $500 in beginning
reading books has helped children as young as 3 learn
to read.
The library is continually grant-writing, planning
educational displays, and implemented reading programs,
such as the "Make a Friend for Your Birthday," to provide
resources to give back to the community, especially
the children.
"[The library is] raising children to go to college,
not high school," Griffin said.
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