Storybook Ball to provide tangible solutions

MT. PLEASANT — The Professional Organization of Women Eastern Region invite the community to A Storybook Ball fundraiser for Mt. Pleasant School Libraries, Saturday, March 18 from 8-11 p.m.

Attendees should prepare to dress as their favorite literary characters as they enjoy a 50/50 raffle, billiards, darts, a silent auction, cocktails, and hors d'oeuvres at 203 S. Wilson St., Mt. Pleasant.

The new Mt. Pleasant Community School District Teacher Librarian Lottie Schnicker shared some reasons this fundraiser is important for the district.

“When I began my job duties in the fall, I ran several collection analyses of each sites’ library to understand its strengths and weaknesses,” Schnicker wrote in a letter to community members. “This revealed that the average age of most non-fiction sections in each collection to be around 1993! That means that most buildings’ non-fiction books were 23 or more years old!”

According to Schnicker, this was exceptionally concerning because the district’s reading programs now focus on skill and comprehension for nonfiction texts.

Through a project to improve the overall status of the nonfiction sections of the libraries, Schnicker and her staff removed a total of 4,763 books.

The books did not simply disappear.

First teachers receive the choice to add these books their classroom or read aloud libraries, then students may choose to take books home, finally, any remaining books were donated to the Prison Literacy Project in Mt. Pleasant.

“What began as a project to improve our library's currency, has now led to a shortage of quality nonfiction books for our Mt. Pleasant students,” she said. “We have partnered with the local women’s group, P.O.W.E.R., to raise needed funds to purchase new, library bound books for each building. Our shared goal is to be able to purchase 25 new books at each of the six libraries.”

“In reaching this goal, we believe we touch not only today’s students, but ensure tomorrow’s students have the same opportunities,” she wrote to the community. “I urge you to consider partnering with us in support of our students by attending our event, A Storybook Ball.”

For more information, to purchase tickets, or to make a donation email storybookball2023@gmail.com

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com