6
FEBRUARY 23�MARCH 2, 2022
FROM THE SHELF
CHECKING OUT THE
WORLD OF BOOKS
Celebrate Read Across America on March 2
By Erin McCusker
For Go! Magazine
U
MATILLA COUNTY — As the days get
longer and sunnier, the snow melts
and the bulbs start to send up shoots,
libraries in the Umatilla County Special
Library District are starting to plan pro-
grams and events for warmer weather.
READ ACROSS AMERICA
On March 2, the National Education
Association’s Read Across America
Day will be celebrated nationwide. Here
in Umatilla County, readers of all ages,
parents, teachers, librarians and elected
offi cials are doing their part to deliver the
very important reading message: Kids
who read, and who are read to, do better
in school, in their communities and in life.
Launched in 1998 as a way to get chil-
dren excited about reading, NEA’s Read
Across America has grown into a year-
long program that culminates every year
on or around March 1.
As a parent and librarian, I have seen the
power of children being read to and having
their own books to read. I encourage every-
one to fi nd a way to share a book. Whether
it is donating books to the local library,
joining a book club or encouraging your
own children to pick up a book and read,
everyone can do something on March 2.
Erin McCusker is the director of the Umatilla
County Special Library District.
For more information about NEA’s
Read Across America, including resourc-
es, recommended book titles and ideas
for reading events, visit www.reada-
crossamerica.org. For events in your
community, check with your library and
your schools.
C. S. JACKSON HISTORICAL
GRANT FOR LIBRARIES
In the mid-1940s, the Charles Samuel
Jackson family established a trust for the
ongoing purchase of books and other
historical memorabilia for the Umatilla
County Library. When the county library
was no longer in eff ect and the Umatilla
County Special Library District was cre-
nea.org
ated by voters in the county, this trust
was passed on to the UCSLD.
The Umatilla County Historical Society
and the Oregon Community Foundation
distribute the funds in reimbursement to
the UCSLD. Each year, the libraries can
spend approximately $200 to $300 on
items about the history of Oregon, Eastern
Oregon and Umatilla County. This grant
has allowed the libraries in the district to
highlight Oregon history for all ages.
Libraries are currently creating their
lists this year. Contact your library if you
have a request.
SUMMER READING PROGRAM
And one of the biggest events of our
t
sco oo u k n s on a ly)
i
d
0% d b ing
year in libraries is the Summer Read-
ing Program. This year’s theme is “Read
Beyond the Beaten Path.” We are hard at
work planning a fun summer of adven-
tures in reading. Stay tuned for more on
what’s coming up for the summer.
But fi rst, enjoy the spring. For informa-
tion on any of these events and more, call
or stop by your local library or fi nd a con-
tact link at www.ucsld.org/our-libraries.
And on March 2, “Read Across America”
with your favorite readers.
———
Erin McCusker is the district director
of the Umatilla County Special Library
District. Reach her at 541-276-6449 or
director@ucsld.org.
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