Monday, April 10, 2017

USA Libraries Hosting Book Drive for Pediatrics

In celebration of National Libraries Week, the University of South Alabama libraries will hold an annual book drive through April 17 for children and teens who visit pediatric clinics in the Strada Patient Care Center.

Donation boxes are located at the Marx Library and Baugh Biomedical Library on USA’s main campus, the UMC Health Information Resource Center at the USA Medical Center and the Mastin Building, Room 717.  Donors are invited to give new and gently used books for young readers.

The book drive supports the efforts of the Reach Out and Read Program of Alabama. Since 1996, more than 300 medical providers in 67 practices and clinics have donated more than 1.6 million books to Alabama’s children.

“Multiple studies have shown that the possession of books, plus being read aloud to at an early age greatly improves a child's vocabulary and preschool readiness,” said USA pediatrician Dr. Cindy Sheets. “Gently used books are wonderful, and we could use books in any language, especially Spanish and Arabic.”

For more information or if you need donations to be picked up from an office location, contact Andrea Wright at awright@southalabama.edu.