Students at Southern Bluffs Elementary School received a special treat on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 3, as staff from the La Crosse Public Library delivered boxes of books for 4th-grade classrooms.

Southern Bluffs 4th-grade teacher Marcia Gardner shares the new books with her excited students.

The books were purchased through the unique collaboration between the Library, the School District of La Crosse and the La Crosse Public Education Foundation. Donations made through the Library’s Nov. 8 “Give-a-Gift” event resulted in the purchase of up to $10,000 in books to be distributed to 29 classrooms throughout the District. Each classroom is expected to receive about 50 books to add to the library in the room.

“The fact that classroom libraries are easily accessible, cover a range of reading levels, and are specific to a classroom means that students can always be assured of having these books on hand,” said Rob Tyvoll, supervisor of academic programs and staff development for the School District of La Crosse.  “They are a powerful resource toward advancing literacy in our young readers!”

This is the second year of the “Give-a-Gift” project. Last year, $10,000 worth of books were purchased for 27 5th-grade classrooms. The plan is to work through all of the elementary grade levels, one per year, and then re-evaluate whether to continue the program.

Teacher Marcia Gardner greeted the new books enthusiastically and told the donors: “These books will be well used and well loved … this is amazing.”

MEDIA COVERAGE

Donated books help freshen up classroom libraries • WXOW •  Dec. 3, 2019

Bookworms at Southern Bluffs receive book donations • La Crosse Tribune •  Dec. 3, 2019

La Crosse Public Library Director Shanneon Grant, far left, helped deliver boxes of books Dec. 3 to Southern Bluffs Elementary.

Students in Lori Meyer’s 4th grade class couldn’t wait to dig into the new books.