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Children in Lyman, Wyoming have a 4-day school week. Shortening the weekly schedule means the school district pays for one less day of electricity, climate control, transportation and staff. But with most parents working 5 days a week, kids from this rural community need a place to go.

“We see those children,” says Suzi Worthen, Branch Manager at the Lyman Branch Library. Suzi loves seeing young patrons flood through the library doors each Friday, but finds it difficult to keep up with the demand for new books.

Two years ago, funding for her library was cut. As the only full-time employee, Suzi frequently digs into her own pocket to purchase the new books and bestsellers that inspire her young patrons to read.

“You have to meet the reader where they’re at,” said Suzi, “and if it takes a superhero book to reach a little boy, so be it.”

When we contacted Suzi to let her know she had received a $1500 grant from First Book, thanks to financial support from Tata Sons and Tata Chemical, she could hardly believe it.

Kids & Tata employees enjoying the reading party at Lyman Branch Library.

Through the First Book Marketplace, Suzi used the grant to stock her library with recent titles, STEM books, award-winners and new series – ultimately purchasing 450 new books for the children of Lyman.

The library then celebrated their new collection by inviting the town to a reading party. Local families and employees from Tata Chemical gathered to stock the library shelves with new books and read aloud with local kids.

“It’s all been such a wonderful experience, and I’m so grateful to First Book and Tata for making it all possible.”

Want to bring books to your town? Click here to find out how to start your own Virtual Book Drive!

The post A Library Makeover in Lyman, Wyoming appeared first on First Book Blog.

I couldn’t wait to leave the gloomy remnants of DC winter and step off the plane in magical San Francisco to join our partners, Tata Sons and Taj Hotels for a First Book dinner and presentation at the stunning Taj Campton Place hotel. I expected a first class experience, but  –  is it possible? –  the Taj Campton Place exceeded all first class experiences I’ve had at hotels around the world!  The service was top notch, personal and unobtrusive.  And the rooms!  I don’t think I’ve had a better night’s sleep in many months.  I’ve stayed in Taj Hotels in London, Boston and Mumbai, but San Francisco is my new favorite.

I also didn’t realize that the hotel was so well known for its cuisine. Taj Campton Place catering was at its best on Monday night as they hosted a special dinner welcoming Kyle Zimmer and friends of First Book.  Our hosts from Tata Sons North America and Taj Campton Place were more than gracious in their words about First Book and I really enjoyed learning how deeply embedded ‘giving back’ is in the culture of the Tata Sons corporation.

The trip was topped with a reading party at local Marshall Elementary school the following day where volunteers from Taj Campton Place distributed books to an enthusiastic third grade class and split into small groups top read to each child individually, before giving them each two books to take home for keeps.  The event kicked off a donation of 10,000 books from Taj Campton Place to children in need across California. Needless to say, there were a lot of happy third grade faces as we said good bye!

I left my heart in San Francisco with the kind Taj Campton Place staff, the happy 3^rd graders, and the generous gifts of the Tata Group.  Can’t wait to return!