Annual Children’s Book Drive Gearing Up

Contact: Media contact: Kay Hyatt at (207) 581-2761

ORONO– The University of Maine College of Education and Human Development, in partnership with the Old Town-Orono Kiwanis Club, has launched the 26th annual drive to collect books for needy youngsters. The public is invited to join in the tradition by donating new books suitable for toddlers to teens.

Established by College Dean Robert Cobb, the community and campus project has made thousands of books available to deserving area children.  The College takes the lead in collecting the books, and Club members distribute them at the service organization’s annual holiday party for area children.

Books, gift wrapped if possible and marked for a particular age level, may be brought to Cobb’s office, 151 Shibles Hall, through noon Friday, Dec. 5.

The UMaine Book Store in Memorial Union is again joining the College to boost the number of books collected and children served. During National Children’s Book Week, Nov. 17-22, the Book Store will match each book purchased for the book drive with one of comparable value. Books purchased elsewhere may also be dropped off at the Book Store, which will deliver them to the College.