Bangor - "We have two boxes full!"

Boxes full of free books is all it took to put smiles on Mylese See and Michelle Bittrich.

They work for Acadia Hospital, and were here to take books back to patients.

"We were very excited. We have a library in the hospital and the kids love it," said Bittrich

They were invited by books beyond borders, a partnership between Literacy Volunteers of Bangor and Borders book store.

"I approached Borders over a period of a year, and kept asking was there something we could do with literacy volunteers and Borders to put more books in the homes of low literate families."

Jen Montgomery was a third grade teacher in Brewer up until three years ago.

When she left, she wanted a way to address literacy problems she saw in and outside the classroom.

"Many of our families didn't feel comfortable approaching libraries, although that seems like the obvious choice if you don't have books, so the children didn't have any books unless I sent some books home with them."

Since it started two years ago, Books Beyond Borders has received more than 2,500 books.

Customers who go into a Borders store are asked at checkout if they'd be interested in donating.

"It's really just people in the community helping other people in the community, and we're just happy to help facilitate this and we're happy to do it."

With boxes of books headed their way, there is no doubt the kids will be happy to receive them.

Print this Story