By HEATHER RUPPE
The Colleton County Memorial Library is partnering with local private and public schools in a a new program to encourage more children, and adults, to read.
The program, called Colleton County Community Read (CCCR), encourages parents, community members and teachers to do read-a-longs from April 4 – 7th. The program ends on April 8th with the “Big Read,” where every child in Colleton County can receive a free book and hear from a community member reading the book to them. Participates are asked to take pictures and videos to be included in the final video that will be presented on the Colleton County Memorial Library (CCML) and Ms. Literacy YouTube Channels.
The free books were paid for with a $10,000 Save The Children grant given to the library and by a $23,000 CCML donation. The books are also funded through donations made to the program by local businesses, including the Colleton Dental Associates.
“Reading is important if you want to learn and grow,” said Colleton County Children’s Librarian Shiela Keaise, in a video created by Ms. Shiela and Sean Gruber and is now available on YouTube that promotes the new reading program.
Books have been selected for various reading levels and for all ages of children by committee members and staff of the CCCR project. Ms. Shiela wanted to give special thanks to Dr. Vallerie Cave for her expertise and knowledge in making this project a success.
Partners in the CCCR are the Colleton County School District, First Steps, North Walterboro Christian Academy, the Lowcountry Community Action Agency, Colleton Preparatory Academy, the East Coast Migrant Head Start Project and the local library.
