December 21, 2024
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DeKalb-area childhood literacy group collecting new, used children’s books

DeKalb/Sycamore Bookcase Project to build 50 libraries for children ages 3-5

By Kate Santillan
(Left to right): Bookcase Project Steering Committee member Mark Mattson Teri Spartz, and John Rey standing next to a completed bookcase in this 2022 file photo.

(Left to right): Bookcase Project Steering Committee member Mark Mattson Teri Spartz, and John Rey standing next to a completed bookcase in this 2022 file photo. (Photo provided by the DeKalb County Community Foundation )

DeKALB – A local group that supports early childhood literacy is collecting book donations through the new year.

The DeKalb/Sycamore Bookcase Project has partnered with the Two Rivers Head Start Agency of Sycamore to accept book donations. The books will be used with personalized bookcases that the group will build and then distribute to area children, according to a news release. The group expects to build 50 bookcases for children ages 3 to 5.

Donations can be dropped off at the DeKalb County Housing Authority, 310 N. Sixth St., DeKalb. Monetary donations to buy bookcase materials also are welcome. To donate, send via mail to P.O. Box 1174, DeKalb.

The bookcases will be filled with new or gently used books. The bookcases will be built and filled at NIU’s Founder’s Library in April.

The project also will accept donations from the Friends of the Ella Johnson Memorial Public Library of Hampshire book sale. The bookcases will be presented at an awards ceremony May 3 at Faranda’s Banquet Center, 302 Grove St., DeKalb.

The DeKalb/Sycamore Bookcase Project has promoted preschool-age childhood literacy by building handmade bookcases, filing them with books, and donating the bookcases to the Two Rivers Head Start Agency since 2011.

For information, call 815-762-9660 or visit the project’s Facebook page.

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