Hazeltine Elementary School has recently received a library makeover, including new books and freshly painted murals, thanks to nonprofit Access Books.
- Van Nuys elementary school library received makeover courtesy of nonprofit
- 'Access Books' relies on volunteer efforts to bring books and art to under-served schools
- Nonprofit has donated over one million books to communities so far
The nonprofit's founder, Rebecca Constantino, believes in the power of a good read.
"We came in and brought about 5,000 books for their classrooms and their school library," said Constantino. "And of course, we brought really popular current books, and we also brought great multicultural books and poetry books, and books that are going to give kids access to a wide range of authors and experiences."
Experience is just what Access Books aims to provide. The group's mission is to increase literacy among at risk youth, and that goal is only possible thanks to local volunteers.
"When I read, I come up with ideas and I draw. That’s mostly what started my love for drawing. It's reading. I was reading different books, different stories, different genres," said Laurel Pawlik, a young volunteer who helped transform Hazeltine's library.
Books are donated to areas where at least 90 percent of students live at or below the poverty line. Constantino hopes the books and murals can give the students another world where their imagination and dreams can grow.
"If you live in poverty, the best predictor of how well you read, is the quality of your school library," said Constantino. "But sadly, most states are not funding school libraries, so what happens is districts have to fund them themselves, and communities do, and we serve schools that have no means to fund their own school library."
That’s why Constantino and her team of volunteers step up with such tenacity. The underfunded communities they serve are deeply impacted by simply having access to such books, and a few creative murals to keep their minds engaged.
"Children see themselves in the books that we provide, and see themselves in the art that we put on the walls. And see themselves as readers," said Constantino.
"I spent my childhood reading. Reading was my best friend. And I hope that for some children here, they find reading is their best friend, and reading is their refuge."
Access Books has donated over one million books thus far, and plans to continue to share its program with communities that need it most.