TEXARKANA, Texas - Students from several Texas-side elementary schools have helped bring the lamp of knowledge and love of reading to their peers through a book drive to fill the city's Little Free Libraries.
On Friday, Student Lighthouse teams from Nash, Wake Village, Spring Lake Park, Theron Jones and Westlawn Elementary Schools gathered at the Southwest Center to present the 10,505 books donated during the fall book drive.
The idea to restock the Little Free Libraries, a program begun by the Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council African-American Committee, came from the first Tiger Energy Summit Held in February. During that event, teams from seven elementary schools worked on the Franklin Covey Leader In Me principles and skills and each campus designed a citywide project to present.
"Nash Elementary proposed that the Student Lighthouse team on each campus would hold a book drive and collect children's books," Nash fifth-grader Mariel Estrada told the group. "The books collected would be placed in the Little Free Libraries located in the vicinity of each campus and around town by each Student Lighthouse Team."
She went on to say they were blown away by the support from the students, teachers, parents and the community.
"We know this project will build great community relationships, demonstrate that leaders are readers and inspire a love of reading in all Texarkana children," she said.
Dr. Teretha Harper, chairwoman of the Little Free Library for the TAAC, said the Little Free Libraries are made from old Texarkana Gazette newspaper vending machine racks that were donated to the cause and then painted by students at Texarkana College.
"We had a book club and we met at Pecan Ridge on Sunday afternoons and the children were always curious about what we were doing," she said. "They always asked about the books. So we decided to have just a few events just for them with books and art and that led to this. If they're that interested in books, then we need to find some way a lot of kids get books."
TAAC Committee Member Rhonda Dolberry said they were excited to get the books to put in the libraries.
"We had started out at Pecan Ridge doing books and art and literacy is a big part of what we do," she said. "We're just excited that they're excited about reading and books. You cannot read enough. We say happy reading to everybody."
Tammie Moore, recreational coordinator for the Southwest Center, said she has high hopes the additional books will help change the students' lives.
"I'm hoping it gives them the exposure and they know they can come in and get books free and if they choose to not bring them back, that's okay," she said. "Open their minds, their imaginations, travel to different places, going places and doing things and learning about things that maybe they cannot travel and go do. I'm hoping it will keep kids out of trouble and that it will get them using their brains instead of an electronic machine."
The TAAC created and sponsored Little Free Libraries at the city's five community centers. They are located at the Texas Side Boys and Girls Club; Iron Mountain Center, 1101 Couch Street; Pecan Ridge Community Center, 2210 W. 15th; Sand Flat Center, 204 E. 14th; and at the Southwest Center, 3222 W 7th. Others are located near school campuses and around town, including Bringle Lake Park and Spring Lake Park.
For more information or to donate additional books, contact the TRAHC African American Committee at 870-773-7230.
More information about the centers is available at the city's website, ci.texarkana.tx.us.