Friends of deAngeli Library Donate Encyclopedias to Schools

lapeer Library’s Generous Gift: Encyclopedias Find New Life in Elementary Schools

What happens when a library retires its encyclopedias? In Lapeer, Michigan, they get a second life, sparking curiosity in young minds. The Friends of the deAngeli Library recently donated four sets of world Book Encyclopedias to local elementary schools, proving that even in the digital age, the allure of physical knowledge remains strong.

From Book Sale to School Donation: A Community’s Commitment to Education

Originally intended for the Friends’ annual book sale, these encyclopedias were withdrawn from the Lapeer District Library. But the Friends had a better idea. “It’s one way for the Friends to say thank you to LCS for the use of CFI for their book sale events,” explains Jan Watz,book sale chair. This act of generosity highlights the strong partnership between the library and the Lapeer Community Schools (LCS).

why Encyclopedias Still Matter in the 21st Century

In an era dominated by Google and Wikipedia, some might question the relevance of encyclopedias. But educators argue that these thorough resources offer unique benefits. Unlike the fragmented details found online, encyclopedias provide curated, vetted knowledge, fostering a deeper understanding of subjects. They also encourage browsing and serendipitous discovery, something frequently enough lost in targeted online searches.

Expert Tip: Encourage children to use encyclopedias for research projects. The structured format helps them develop critical thinking and information literacy skills.

The Future of Libraries: More Then Just books

This donation underscores the evolving role of libraries in the 21st century. Libraries are no longer just repositories of books; they are community hubs, offering resources, programs, and services that support education and lifelong learning. The Friends of the deAngeli library exemplify this trend, actively engaging with the community and finding innovative ways to promote literacy.

The Power of Local Partnerships

The collaboration between the friends of the deAngeli Library and Lapeer Community Schools is a model for other communities. By working together, these organizations are able to leverage their resources and expertise to create meaningful opportunities for students. Such partnerships are crucial for ensuring that all children have access to the tools they need to succeed.

Did You No? according to the American Library Association,libraries contribute considerably to local economies,providing access to job resources,technology training,and small business support.

Mark Your Calendars: Upcoming Book sale at CFI

For those looking to support the Friends of the deAngeli Library, mark your calendars for their upcoming pop-up mini sale. The sale will be held at CFI, 170 Millville Rd. in Lapeer,on Friday-Saturday,May 23-24. Friday hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the sale will feature a wide selection of books, including children’s and junior books, as well as AV materials like books on CD, music CDs, and DVDs. Remember, all sales are cash or check.

Supporting Literacy in Lapeer: How You Can Help

Beyond attending the book sale, there are many ways to support literacy in Lapeer. Consider volunteering at the library, donating books, or becoming a member of the Friends of the deAngeli Library. Every contribution, no matter how small, makes a difference in the lives of local students.

Swift Fact: Studies show that children who have access to books at home perform better in school.

The Enduring Value of knowledge

The donation of these encyclopedias is a reminder that knowledge is a gift that keeps on giving. By providing students with access to these valuable resources, the Friends of the deAngeli Library are investing in the future of lapeer. And who knows? Maybe one of these young readers will be inspired to write the next grate encyclopedia.

For more information about the book sale, call Jan Watz at 810-358-9243.

Encyclopedias Still Matter? Lapeer Library’s Gift Sparks Debate: An Interview with Literacy Expert Dr. Anya Sharma

Keywords: Encyclopedias, Literacy, Lapeer Library, Education, Book Sale, Community Partnerships, Information Literacy, libraries, Children’s Books, Volunteering.

Time.news: Welcome, Dr. Sharma. Thank you for joining us today to discuss this interesting story about the Lapeer District Library’s encyclopedia donation to local elementary schools. It seems counter-intuitive in an era of readily available online information. What are your initial thoughts on this generous act?

Dr. anya Sharma: it’s a truly heartening story, and not at all counter-intuitive to those of us working in literacy and education. While digital access is crucial, there’s a unique value proposition that well-curated encyclopedias offer, particularly for young learners. We are in the business of reading and literacy for our kids.

Time.news: The article highlights the “curated, vetted knowlege” and serendipitous discovery afforded by encyclopedias. Can you elaborate on that?

Dr. Anya Sharma: Absolutely. Think about a typical online search. Algorithms push specific results, frequently enough based on popularity or commercial intent. An encyclopedia,on the other hand,presents a broader,more structured overview of a topic. It offers context and allows children to browse and discover related concepts they might never have encountered otherwise. This fosters a deeper, more interconnected understanding, critical for developing true information literacy skills, not just the ability to find answers quickly, but the ability to think critically via reading critically.

Time.news: The Friends of the deAngeli Library played a key role in this donation, redirecting encyclopedias initially intended for a book sale. What does this say about the evolving role of libraries and community involvement in education?

Dr. Anya Sharma: The Lapeer library’s action exemplifies the shift in libraries from mere repositories of books to dynamic community hubs actively supporting education. The Friends’ initiative demonstrates a proactive approach to literacy, recognizing the value of these resources and finding an innovative way to get them into the hands of students. It’s a testament to the power of local partnerships between libraries and schools.

Time.news: this is an excellent example of community partnerships. The article suggests that such collaborations are vital for ensuring access to educational resources. Can you expand on that?

Dr. Anya Sharma: Absolutely. Schools often face budget constraints, limiting their ability to provide diverse learning materials. Libraries, with their dedicated staff and commitment to lifelong learning, can bridge that gap. Joint initiatives, like this encyclopedia donation, leverage the strengths of both institutions, creating a more robust and equitable learning surroundings for all students. It creates a synergy.

Time.news: The article mentions the upcoming pop-up mini book sale at CFI on May 23-24. What impact do these kinds of events have on the community?

Dr. Anya Sharma: Beyond the economic benefits of supporting the friends of the deAngeli Library directly, these sales foster a love of reading within the community. They provide affordable access to books for families, encouraging reading at home and sparking children’s interest in different subjects. Also, consider how many children’s books are present.

Time.news: What advice would you give to parents and educators looking to incorporate encyclopedias into a child’s learning?

Dr. Anya Sharma: First, make them accessible. Place them in a prominent location where children can easily browse. Encourage children to use them for research projects, even alongside online sources. Help them compare and contrast the information from different sources, fostering critical thinking skills. Also, don’t underestimate the power of simply flipping through the pages together and exploring a topic that sparks their curiosity.

Time.news: The article also highlighted that the American Library Association emphasizes how libraries contribute considerably to local economies by providing access to job resources, technology training, and small business support. That must be very crucial.

Dr. Anya Sharma: Absolutely. Libraries have expanded their scope in the 21st century and function as invaluable community support centers, offering wide ranging benefits, from access to job market assistance, to providing training for new or improved technological skills for work functions, to providing information, consultation, and resources for entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Time.news: the article encourages readers to support literacy in Lapeer by volunteering, donating books, or becoming a member of the Friends of the deAngeli Library. Why is this kind of support so crucial?

Dr. Anya Sharma: Every act of support, no matter how small, contributes to a stronger, more literate community. Volunteering provides essential manpower, book donations expand access to reading materials, and membership strengthens the Friends’ ability to continue their vital work. It’s an investment in the future of Lapeer and its children.

Time.news: Dr.Sharma, thank you for your insightful comments. It’s clear that even in the digital age, encyclopedias and community involvement in education still hold significant value.