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| Photo credit: Lake George Elementary School |
How does school librarian
Bridget Crossman get books to low-income children in Warren, Saratoga, and Washington
counties in New York State? First, she
raises money by hosting an annual triathlon.
Those donations go to her nonprofit, BOOKS (Books Offer Opportunities
for Kids to Succeed). Next, she purchases
books and distributes them in a variety of creative ways, including the Bright
Red Bookshelf program in doctors’ offices; the Books at Birth program in Glens
Falls Hospital; the Well Books program at the family health centers; and the Christmas
with WIC (Women, Infants and Children) and the Moreau Community Center. Crossman, who is the Lake George Elementary School
librarian, is being recognized this fall for her unselfish efforts to promote
literacy with the New York State Reading Association’s Library Media Specialist
Award.
BOOKS was created in 2006,
and, according to Crossman, distributes about 7,000 books annually. “Reading is one of the most valuable tools we
have for learning,” she said. “I want
every child to be able to read and find joy in reading.” This
unshelfish librarian’s story is
poignant: Crossman herself was a
reluctant reader. “I was in remedial
reading. It motivated me to want to help
every child feel successful. I want to
help them feel excited about books.”
Bridget Crossman also
teaches her students to love reading at her K-6 school, through book talks and collaborative
literacy lessons. She is a member of the
district’s Technology Committee, organizes the Reading Campout and two book
fairs annually, and coaches students for the Battle of the Books.
