Through March 31, students, staff and faculty at the University of New Mexico are asked to donate new or used children’s books as part of the Albuquerque Business Education Compact Read to Me Book Drive. UNM is part of a coalition of organizations helping to collect children’s books to promote reading in local elementary schools and preschools.
“A recent study has shown that access to reading materials is extremely limited for children from low-income families. It’s estimated to be about one book for every 300 children,” said Juan Fidel Larrañaga, community board member with the program. “Please help reduce this disparity by providing a new book for a child.”
Last year more than 1,000 books were collected at the UNM Human Resources Service Center on Lomas Boulevard, and more books were donated at libraries and offices across campus. In all, more than 24,000 books were collected through the city of Albuquerque, and this year’s goal is to collect 30,000.
Collection boxes will be available at UNM libraries and on the Health Sciences Center campus in the library and Health Sciences Services Building. Information about the Albuquerque Libraries Summer Reading Program will also be provided to children and families. Collected books will be given to elementary school children in families with limited resources.
For more information, or to volunteer, please contact Juan Fidel Larrañaga at (505) 272-9532 or Larranag@unm.edu or visit the Web site at: Read to Me.