A group of Wydown Middle School students and Librarian Victoria Jones are hosting a “For the Love of Reading” book drive through March 16 to collect books for the nine Little Free Libraries the school’s Engineering Models students designed, built and painted last semester. These libraries will be installed in locations throughout the Normandy and Clayton communities in partnership with Beyond Housing, a local organization that works closely with the Normandy Schools Collaborative through the Normandy Read With Me! initiative.

The Little Free Libraries will provide books for readers of all ages to take and enjoy. The books are free, and when readers have finished, they can return the books and exchange them for new books to read.

To stock the libraries with plenty of options for all readers, the WMS students have been collecting books from their community during the past month. They have advertised the drive through posters, daily announcements and emails to teachers. Book donors receive a raffle ticket for every book they donate, and through daily drawings, they have a chance to win a variety of prizes donated largely by WMS staff. A grand prize raffle for various gift cards will be held following the conclusion of the book drive.

The community is encouraged to donate new and gently used books through March 16. The students hope to make the book drive an annual event to ensure the Little Free Libraries remain stocked with reading options for the Normandy and Clayton communities.

The following students have spearheaded the For the Love of Reading book drive:

Tenley Hall
Julia Harris
Wendy Humphreys
Rucha Kelkar
Xander Newman
Heidi Panzer