Estelle M. Black Book Drive Benefits Chikala School Library in Malawi
The Rockford Public Library Black History Committee is collecting 1000 books and $500 to ship books to start a primary school library in Malawi as part of the African Library Project. Donations to the Estelle M. Black Book Drive will be accepted March 1 through April 30.
The Estelle M. Black book drive is organized by Rockford Public Library’s Black History Committee, an organization dedicated to remembering the past experience of African Americans, especially within the Rockford area. The committee strives to provide knowledge and opportunity for all to learn Black History in Rockford. Mary McLeod Bethune, an African American educator and civil rights activist once stated, "The whole world opened to me when I learned to read." “As a part of the Rockford and global community, we hope to help the children of Malawi find out more about the opportunities of the world through reading,” says committee member Jendaya Clark.
Fiction and nonfiction gently-used books for preschool – 8th grade (especially preschool - 5th grade) reading levels are accepted. Books can be dropped off at any Rockford Public Library locations. To donate towards the shipping cost of $500, please contact Jendaya Clark at jclark@rockfordpubliclibrary.org.
For more information about the African Library Project, please visit www.africanlibraryproject.org and search for the Estelle M. Black Book Drive or call 815-965-7606 ext. 610.
About the African Library Project
The African Library Project matches schools and organizations in the United States with African communities to create libraries. U.S. children and families donate their books and share the gift of reading with children in Africa. Books are collected in the U.S. through book drives and shipped by volunteers directly to the communities requesting them.
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