How to Build Four Libraries with $150

In an effort to provide children with easy access to books and promote continued reading over the summer school break, a group of Peachtree Corners parents and volunteers have developed the Summer Satellite Library Program for four local apartment communities.

“We know how important it is to keep children reading over the summer,” says Alan Kaplan, a Peachtree Elementary School parent. “There are many great summer reading programs, but they require that children get to where the books are, which can be challenging for many who have limited transportation options or for other reasons. This program offers a solution by bringing the books to the children where they live.”

Started with just $150 and a generous donation of books from the Norcross Cluster Schools Partnership, the Peachtree Corners Summer Satellite Library is a pilot program which will serve more than 700 Peachtree Elementary School and Pinckneyville Middle School children.

Many community volunteers and parents and staff from Peachtree Elementary spent hours sorting the books by reading level and content. The libraries are being installed initially at Bristol Court, The Domain, Mercer Place and Park at Peachtree Corners.

Each library consists of approximately 500-600 books, ranging from easy readers for pre-K and kindergartners up to advanced novels for middle school students, and everything in between.

Each apartment complex is providing a bookcase and commits to having set hours for children to check out books. In addition, each community is holding a kick-off event to let children and parents know the books are available.

“It’s a great example of grassroots collaboration between parents, the school, volunteers, the Norcross Cluster Schools Partnership and the participating apartment complexes to help children in our own community,” says Mr. Kaplan. “We hope to learn from the program this year and expand it to other locations in the future.”