Contributed by Nan Potts
Palmer had a tremendous summer kick-off this past April with Who Let The Girls Out and the Bright Lights Book Project kept busy!
We had a multitude of scurrying shoppers stop by the Koslosky Center bookcases to say, “Hello”, and of course, take away a book or two with smiles on their faces and grateful waves. Yes, we were busy; sorting, stocking and schmoozing. A good time was had by all.
The project has taken-off like a jet catapulted from an aircraft carrier! The reception given has motivated us to gather and move more books than you can imagine. Plus, the excitement is contagious and is reflected by stories from volunteers, book browsers and community leaders as they share their experiences and interactions with one another.
Simple stories have a way on melting your heart. For example, a woman at the Palmer Senior Center praised volunteers for being there with new books each week with a very heart-felt, “You are a Godsend.” Or, the child, who discovers a familiar book or falls in love with the cover art and desires to have parents read it out loud, clasps it to chest and squeals with glee!
There are many more stories regarding children and fascinating stories of books being shipped out to the Bush. How they are shipped and to whom brings a, “Wow”, to a listener’s lips. I believe some of you reading this have utilized the book cases (They are growing in number and areas, see the website: brightlightsbookproject.org for more locations.) and have either witnessed or experienced the fascinations and joy the “bookcase experience” brings.
In fact, if you have a story to share, please contact us on our website, we’d enjoy hearing from you. Suggestions as how to better your bookcase experience are also welcomed.
If you happen to catch the “book bug” and wish to assist expanding the project, volunteers are highly sought after. The more the community is involved, the better for the project and the books!
Our goal is to salvage those tomes and mags and return them to readers who may have missed their messages or wish to reread them. By putting the spotlight on the books to make them shine, keeps the lights bright and blazing! Consider, and come join us.