The branches are seeking new or gently used books geared toward babies and teens.
Each branch of the Camden County Library System will be accepting new or gently used books appropriate for babies to young teens for their annual Books for Kids Holiday Campaign through Dec. 6.
All eight branches (Bellmawr, Cruz-Perez, Ferry Ave., Gloucester Township, Haddon Township, Merchantville, South County and Voorhees) will have clearly marked bins available to deposit the books.
“Each year we ask our customers to recognize the importance of reading by donating books to our holiday book campaign. You can help to foster and develop a love of reading in children throughout Camden County who may not have enough books at home to read,” says Camden County Library System Director Linda Devlin.
In conjunction with the book campaign Devlin notes that before the holidays would be a good time for parents to join the library’s 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program to develop and strengthen a child’s literacy skills even before he or she starts school.
“Books open a world of opportunities for children by expanding their education and imagination,” says Freeholder Bill Moen, liaison to the Camden County Library System. “By providing books this holiday season, you are giving these children the gift of knowledge while introducing them to the joy of reading.”
The library sends the books to the Camden County Children’s Services Department to distribute to children throughout the county in time for the holidays.
The library is seeking new or “gently-used” books in very good condition. Gently-used can be understood to mean books that a person would be comfortable in giving as a gift to a close relative. Books cannot be inscribed with names or have bookplates indicating an organization’s name.