Youth Literacy

ROTARY CLUB DONATES TO

YOUTH LITERACY PROGRAMS

IN SOUTH PORTLAND AND CAPE ELIZABETH

The Rotary Club of South Portland/Cape Elizabeth has donated $800 to youth literacy programs for two local public libraries. The Club began this ongoing program in 2007.

Youth librarians shown in the photos – each holding a check for $400 from Rotary -- are (left) Rachel Davis from Cape’s Thomas Memorial Library and Kim Campbell from the South Portland Public Library.

The money will be used to enhance literacy programs through the purchase of books and materials to promote literacy, reading, and interest in education among young people. Some of the materials will also assist those for whom English is a second language.

The additional books, chosen by the professional librarians at each library, will provide materials they otherwise would not be able to purchase through normal funding.

The Rotary Club also uses this program to recognize its weekly speakers by having them sign a bookplate that goes into one of the selected books and symbolizes a donation of that book by the speaker.

Rotary Club president Kathy Cotter says, “We have been making this donation for nine years with a view toward increasing the interest in reading and education among our local students. It is representative of our Rotary club’s service to our communities’ youth and commitment to literacy initiatives.”