The Village Learning Place is looking for books
Ten years ago, the residents of Charles Village decided to start their own library, after their neighborhood branch was closed. And the Village Learning Place has been going strong ever since. So strong, in fact, that they're now expanding!
The library, which now has more than 18,000 books available for lending and public access to the Internet, wants to provide more services to the community, including programs for early childhood and high school students, in an attempt to promote lifelong learning. And they're trying to raise $1 million to do it.
That's where the Dewey Donation System comes in.
Dewey is run by author Pamela Ribon and Television Without Pity co-founder David T. Cole. According to the Dewey site, in 2003 Pamie asked her blog readers to donate books to the Oakland Public Library. The drive was so successful -- with hundreds of books donated -- that nearly every year since, Dewey has raised funds and donated books to a library or organization in need.
With this year's drive, the philanthropists are doing their part. Dewey has raised 626 books and $3,258 in just two weeks, according to Ribon.
"This is the seventh year of our book drive, and even though times are hard for everybody, people are still supporting our grassroots fundraisers because our readers love books and libraries," Ribon said in an e-mail. "The ultimate goal would be to help the VLP reach their budgetary goal this year of $1 million. ... All we can do is help as much as we can and hope it makes a big difference."
There are multiple ways for you to make your mark, too. You can donate money via PayPal, credit card or check -- with every dollar matched by an anonymous local foundation; you can buy books from the VLP's Amazon Wishlists; or you can buy books to donate at The Ivy, which is offering a 15 percent discount to donors and free delivery.
And in case you're wondering what's in it for you? Try this video of Ribon's mom rocking out to Rock Band, thanks to a donation challenge made and met on Monday. You've never heard The Beatles like this.
(2001 Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd Fox)
