Volunteers to host children's book drive

Dr. Seuss' books can be found in nearly every library in the nation, smudged with the fingerprints of children enjoying tales as familiar and classic as nursery rhymes.

Celebrating what would have been the author's 95 birthday next month, the National Education Association will sponsor Read Across America Day, hosting events to promote literacy for children.

Also joining in will be the University America Reads Tutoring Corps, the local chapter of the U.S. Department of Education's literacy initiative. The group, consisting of University volunteers, will host a drive collecting books for pre-kindergarten through third grade students until Feb. 26.

Organizers have not set a specific goal for the number of books they hope to collect, but the group has decided where the books will go, said Program Coordinator Albert Wat.

"Our first priority is to get the books to the kids of the families we serve in our tutoring program," Wat said, adding that leftover books will go to local elementary school libraries.

The group will be accepting donations of new or "gently-used" books at the Michigan Union, Pierpont Commons, the School of Education, University residence halls and other drop-off locations.

Local businesses are also getting involved. Barnes & Noble Bookseller located on Washtenaw Avenue is offering a 10 percent discount to customers who drop off donations at their store.

But the book drive is only one example of volunteer work done by University America Reads. Volunteers regularly tutor students at ten elementary schools in the Detroit area, including five in Ann Arbor. Tutors are trained on how to make lesson plans and teach phonic skills and letter sounds.

For many students, America Reads offers a strong incentive to get involved, Wat said.

It "allows colleges around the country to use part of their work-study money to hire students to become tutors in the community," he said.

Wat said the group focuses on early literacy, hoping to have all kids reading by third grade. That time is a crossroads for many young students, he said.

"If kids don't reach literacy by third grade, they have a greater chance of having academic difficulty in the future," Wat said.

LSA senior David Votruba said being involved with the tutoring program has given him the chance to help on a project he feels strongly about.

"I believe that early education, especially reading and writing skills, are essential to building confidence in young children," Votruba said. "And I take pride in my part of that."

Coordinator of the national America Reads Work Study Program Laura Wood said creating "extended learning opportunities" for young students, such as after school and summer help, are an important part of the initiative. Without them, many kids cannot reach academic goals, she said.

"Either teachers don't have time to provide the one-on-one attention students need or classes are just too large," Wood said.

The America Reads initiative was formed in response to the results of the 1994 National Assessment of Educational Progress, which showed that 40 percent of American children were reading below the basic level, Wood said.

This prompted President Clinton to launch the initiative. Following the State of the Union Address in January of 1997, the project set up its office in the Department of Education

Wat said the group is always looking for new tutors, especially during the spring and summer term when other volunteers go home for the summer. Those interested should contact the Center for Learning Through Community Service at alwat@umich.edu.

02-19-99