School library seeks helping hand

Harry Camsell School is getting a helping hand for its library.

It is taking part in Indigo's Adopt a School program – a fundraising campaign which began Sept. 16 and ends Oct. 8 to help buy new books for elementary school libraries across Canada.

"Basically, what happens is, if a school is not well funded for its library and if they need additional help, they can apply to Indigo to be part of the Adopt a School program," said Sue Warren, vice-principal and a Grade 3 teacher at Harry Camsell School.

During the program, people can go online and donate to a school or schools.

"Basically, every $10 is considered a book," said Warren. "So they can donate $10 or $20 or $50, whatever they want, to the school for the purchase of books."

For a $20 donation, the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation will contribute an additional $10, the equivalent of one extra book, up to $1,000.

"So three for the price of two, basically," said Warren.

All participating Indigo, Chapters and Coles bookstores have each adopted a school to fundraise on its behalf during the three-week campaign period.

Harry Camsell School has been adopted by The Coles Bookstore at the Kingsway Mall in Edmonton.

"In the spring, we were notified that we had been adopted by the Kingsway Coles, which means that during that three-week campaign they're featuring our school in their store and asking their patrons if they would like to donate to our school," said Warren.

As of Sept. 22, Harry Camsell School has been pledged $2,170, including up to $500 from customers of the Kingsway Coles.

This year's goal was $1,700, or $10 for a new book for every student at the school.

"We've met and exceeded our goal for the year so far, which I don't mind," said Warren, adding she cannot say how much might be raised by the end of the program.

Harry Camsell School principal Carolyn Carroll said the funding will make a big difference for the library.

"It's going to be a new infusion of books and the great thing is they're books of our choice, so they actually go along with our programs and what our kids like to read," she said.

Carroll credited Warren for getting the school into the program.

Last year, Harry Camsell School was late getting into the program, but still managed to get $1,690, even without being adopted by a bookstore.

This year, 573 schools across Canada are registered to participate in the program.

To qualify, all must identify as high-needs elementary schools, having a library budget of less than $30 per student per year.