Officer's Spouses Club donates books

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kristen Rohrer
  • 60th Air Mobility Command Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The Officers' Spouses' Club recently donated hundreds of new children's books to the Mitchell Memorial Library. 

Through fundraising, the OSC was able to raise $8,000 which they were able to use to purchase 604 new books for the library. 

The funds were raised primarily through the Travis Thrift Shop, which is used by both the OSC and Enlisted Spouses' Club to raise funds for different programs or events around base. 

"The Thrift Shop is our main fundraiser, and we are able to use those proceeds for the welfare of the Travis community," said Mrs. Paula Craft, OSC member. 

The decision to donate children's books came after the OSC gave scholarships away to high schoolers getting ready to graduate. 

"After donating scholarships to older kids getting ready for college, we really wanted to focus on the younger children who will hopefully be going to college in the future," said Mrs. Craft. 

"There's something for everyone. These books cover every age group: picture books for the toddler/preschool age group, books for beginning readers and fiction and non-fiction for all ages up through the teens," said Ms. Jamie McGrath, reference librarian at the Mitchell Memorial Library. 

The OSC ordered from a wish list of books the library provided, and when the books arrived, they organized a "book unpacking party." 

Each book was processed and OSC seals were attached to let readers know that particular book was donated by the club. 

Although the OSC has helped the library with smaller projects in the past, this is the largest project they have participated in. 

"We really wanted to be hands-on," Mrs. Craft said. 

"One very nice feature is that this is the first book order that has Accelerated Reading labels on each book showing parents and kids the reading level. Accelerated Reading is a program most school kids participate in, so we're going to have some very happy patrons. It's usually hard to find the right books when they come in," said Ms. McGrath. 

The library will hold a dedication ceremony to unveil the new collection July 10 at 2 p.m. For more information about the ceremony or any other questions, call the Mitchell Memorial Library at 424-3279.