My Nonprofit Reviews

After seeing an article in the Cincinnati Enquirer about the Literacy Network of Greater Cincinnati, I went to their website, and contacted Annie Schneider, the director of External Relations, about volunteering. One of the choices of volunteer jobs was "Sorting Books". I am a newly retired elementary teacher and administrator and this seemed a perfect fit for me! I was pleasantly surprised to receive a personal response from Annie within days, inviting me to "come on down" and join in the fun of helping set up their new facility as a book repository for children's books that would be given out to the children of the region through various means.
On my first visit, I was treated with a friendly welcome, introductions to staff, and a grand tour of the facility. Annie explained the vision and mission of the Book Bank, and described the processes they were setting up in order to get books into the hands of children - books that children and teachers can keep and own. One of the volunteer jobs I do is to help sort and organize used children's books that are donated through book drives. After sorting into categories, we stock the shelves in the "library room" where teachers, parents and children can come to choose as many books as they want to take home and keep. I lOVE doing this. Seeing and paging through all the old familiar titles, along with many books I've never seen, puts this old teacher in hog heaven!
These books also supply the many Literacy Network's "Free Little Libraries" located throughout our city- another way to get books out into the hands of families, increasing book ownership, and a love of reading. I feel a small sense of pride and ownership whenever I spot one of the blue "Little Libraries" around town, knowing that maybe some of those titles passed through my hands and are on their way out to families.
I know the Literacy Network does many other things- like giving sets of brand new children's books to classroom teachers, tutoring for adults and children, hosting literacy events, and reaching out to the public and to donors. In all their endeavors that I've observed, the thing that stands out is the kind and friendly sense of purpose exhibited by the whole staff. They seem excited about their work, anxious to tell about it, and proud of what they've accomplished. They always seem to be looking ahead to ways they can keep things going and growing. It is really a wonderful place!