Barnes & Noble To Help HOM

Replace Books

By Jeff White

Everything about Head O’ Meadow School’s library is central.

Unlike at Sandy Hook, Hawley, and Middle Gate, where media centers are relegated to large classrooms, Head O’ Meadow’s book haven is at the heart of the school, open-ended and accessible to students walking from one side of the building to the other. In his address to the Board of Education last week concerning the school’s improvement plan, Principal William Bircher outlined Head O’ Meadow’s plan to make its media center even more central to students’ learning, with research and computer resources that will complement class work.

To that end, Shannon Nelson Betts, the school’s media specialist, has begun an extensive book replacement drive meant to substitute many old, worn out titles with newer editions. She has enlisted Barnes & Noble in Danbury to help.

A Head O’ Meadow School “wish list” is at Barnes & Noble right now, and the store has done its part to stock most of the 70 books that are on that list.

The wish list will work like a bridal registry: any parent or staff member can visit the store and ask the manager on duty to suggest a title from the list. Once a particular book is purchased, the manager will check it off, and the list will grow a little smaller.

Parents and staff members are being asked to drop the donated book at the circulation desk in the Head O’ Meadow School library with a note stating the donor’s name and any special text to be included, and a book plate will be created with the donor’s name. The new book will replace the worn or damaged book in the collection.

“We have so many books that need to be replaced,” Mrs Betts said recently.

 “Donating a book sends a positive message to the students of Head O’ Meadow, as it speaks ‘volumes’ about your support for our school library and the importance of quality books in education,” Mrs Betts added, in a recent letter sent home to school parents.

Books can be donated to recognize a student’s improved effort in school, for birthdays, anniversaries, to honor an excellent teacher, or as a lasting “thank you” to someone special.

“I think a lot of people would like to do this,” Mrs Betts said, excited about the incentive.

The book replacement drive started in February, and in the past two months 21 of the 70 books requested have been donated; they now reside on a special shelf meant to draw attention to the donated titles.

Donations are not limited to parents and staff members of Head O’ Meadow School. Any Newtown resident interested in helping the school can head down to Barnes & Noble, buy a book, and help the school out.