by Caleb Fort
Daily Lobo
UNM is helping collect books to give to children in low-income families.
The book drive is a good way for students to give to the community, said student Brandon Wilson.
"I think it sounds like an outstanding idea. Most of the people in the UNM community are privileged to be here," he said. "There are a lot of people out there who won't ever have the same opportunities that some of us have, and if a book helps push them in that direction, I think it's a great thing."
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The Albuquerque Business Education Compact, a coalition of businesses, schools and government, sponsors the Read to Me Book Drive. Although the program is in its fourth year, this is the first time UNM partnered with the program, said Mimi Swanson, UNM Department of Human Resources manager, who helped organize the event.
It makes sense for UNM to participate in the program, she said.
"One of our goals is to make UNM more of a partner externally - to the broader community," she said. "One of our missions is public service, and another is teaching, so it really goes with both of those."
Paula Delap-Padilla, from the Albuquerque Business Education Compact, said people should donate children's books that are new or slightly used.
"Something you would want to own yourself," she said.
Any type of children's book is welcome, but books written in Spanish are especially in demand, she said.
"If people have Spanish books or bilingual books, we could really use those," Delap-Padilla said. "Of course, books in any language would be very much appreciated."
The program is targeted at children from infancy through elementary school, she said.
Last year the program collected about 14,000 books, Delap-Padilla said. This year she hopes to get at least 20,000.
The program is meant to increase literacy rates among low-income students, she said.
"Access to books is really important in building early literacy skills," she said. "We're trying to make books available to families who may not have disposable income to spend on them."
Donating books will eventually benefit the entire state, Delap-Padilla said.
"It sparks the interest of children in reading," she said. "I think we all benefit from having an educated citizenry, and this is a fundamental part of that."
Swanson agreed.
"This is a great way to give," Delap-Padilla said. "Reading has a profound impact on a child's life. It can make or break their ability to succeed."
There are several donation boxes on campus. People can also donate books at McDonald's, Borders and Bookworks.
The Albuquerque Business Education Compact also partnered with several other businesses, such as Bank of America and Whole Foods Market, which will encourage their employees to donate books, according to the organization's Web site.
The books will be distributed to children through schools and other community centers, such as preschools and Boys and Girls Clubs, Delap-Padilla said. Children will get to pick out their own book, and it will be theirs to keep, she said.
That is an important aspect of the program, Swanson said.
"They get to pick these books, so it's not some school teacher forcing it down their throat," she said. "On top of that, it's ownership. It's possession. A lot of these kids have nothing, and it gives them a chance to own something."
The collection will run through April 15.
