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Date: 9/25/2015
HAMPDEN – Elected officials from around the region gathered at the warehouse headquarters of Link to Libraries on Sept. 21 to note an important milestone.
The eight year-old nonprofit organization has given its 400,000th book to an area library, school or literacy program. It also now has 100 volunteer readers.
Co-founder Susan Jaye-Kaplan explained it works with schools and libraries in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Link to Libraries now has 56 businesses, which sponsor its program in schools, she added.
Link to Libraries also has a program for homeless children, called Reading Any Place. Volunteers pack some 50 plastic bins with books and toys every other months that go to social workers helping homeless families.
“We’re growing as fast as we can manage,” Jaye-Kaplan said.
Mayor Richard Kos of Chicopee said the program “has made a difference in the region and especially in my city.” He added that teachers and principals view the boxes of books that arrive “a little present.”
Jaye-Kaplan has noted that Kos has been helpful in securing businesses to sponsor Link to Library programs in Chicopee.
“Everyone who has learned about your program has jumped on the bandwagon, Kos said.
In Chicopee, businesses such as Polish National credit Union and organizations such as the Chicopee Rotary Club support Link to Libraries and Link to Libraries has made donations to the library new bookmobile.
State Sen. Eric Lesser said statistics have shown the importance of early childhood education and the importance of reading.
“Unlocking access to books opens a whole world to them,” he said of children.
State Rep. Brian Ashe said legislators understand the importance of reading proficiency as much as parents do.
Springfield City Councilor Kateri Walsh praised Jaye-Kaplan and Link to Libraries and said, “She has done so many great things in the region.”
For more information on the program, go to www.linktolibraries.org.