Women share their love for literature as they raise library funds

MT. PLEASANT — A group of women with passion for the Mt. Pleasant Community and a love of literature continue to raise funds through the re-imagined Storybook Ball Silent Auction.

According to Professional Organization of Women Eastern Region (P.O.W.E.R.) President Kasey Conrad, through a desire to expand the group’s philanthropic muscles, Conrad contacted Mt. Pleasant Community School District’s Superintendent John Henriksen.

“He directed me toward Lottie,” Conrad shared. “She is awesome. She is very hands-on, very progressive, and doing some wonderful things for the libraries and the school.”

In her new position as the Mt. Pleasant Community School District Teacher Librarian, Lottie Schnicker began instituting steps to achieve her mission and goal to “support, encourage and empower information literacy for students and staff at MPCSD,” and ensure “students and staff have access and ethical use of the highest quality of print, visual and digital information.”

In order to do this, Schnicker first removed all out-of-date information in the non-fiction sections of all six district libraries with the goal of improving the currency of all collections.

Following this, however, the libraries needed help to replace the out-of-date selections.

The group hopes to raise $3,500 and as of Saturday afternoon they had already raised approximately $2,500 of that.

Every woman involved expressed personal excitement for this project as literature has made an impact in each of their lives.

“I’ve always loved books, from even before I started school,” Conrad shared. “I am proud to be a total nerd.”

“I’m a sucker for any kind of book in a series, but I love the kind that you can just fall into and totally immerse yourself into it,” Schnicker said.

As they spoke, their passion became even more evident.

“One of the things I love most is talking about what you’ve read,” Conrad said.

“Talking about what you read is almost as good as the reading it,” Schnicker agreed.

Schnicker shared that her favorite book is [ITALICS] Little Women by Louisa May Alcott and that she reads it once every year.

[ITALICS] The Talisman by Peter Straub and Stephen King along with Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë top Conrad’s list of favorites.

Fellow P.O.W.E.R members and co-vice presidents Carrie Muhs and Amiee Tisor shared that their favorite books included A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, and Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice.

The literature-loving group held an open house showcasing all the silent auction items over the weekend, but will continue to accept bids and sell 50/50 raffle tickets through Thursday, March 23 at 4 p.m.

While interested parties may make bids for the silent auction through the Storybook Ball Silent Auction Facebook page, 50/50 raffle tickets are only available for purchase in person.

Tisor will have tickets available for purchase at Holtkamp automotive until the sales close.

The group will announce raffle and auction winners Thursday at 6 p.m. on a Facebook live.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com