Every year PTK commits to completing a service project, in Eagle Pass, based on research that the honor society members complete. This year, the chapter initiated their PTK Reading B.O.O.K.S. campaign. Research led the members to discover that on average, Hispanic students had 39 children’s books in their home, compared with an average of 93 books among white students. Many people in our community do not have the luxury to afford books. As a result of this understanding, the chapter members came up with a plan to give children access to an inviting area where they can fall in love with reading.
After holding a contest between multiple elementary schools in the district, Glass Elementary was awarded with a library remodel in the hopes that with an exciting new library students will read more. EPISD Librarian, Diana Saucedo, wrote the following, on behalf of Glass Elementary: “The library is the heart of any school and investing in the library is an investment in the development and learning of our own students. Books open the world to our students and their first experience with the library comes in school and the love for books is formed within the walls of the library. The students at Nellie Mae Glass deserve a fresh and welcoming library with furniture, books, walls, technology, and a place where reading is supreme.”
PTK members held a book drive in March to kick off their campaign. As a result of SWTJC students, faculty, and staff donating books the chapter was able to collect more than 200 books for the Glass Elementary Library. Chapter members then fundraised and reached out to the community businesses for donations to purchase necessary supplies and technology for the library. Union Pacific, SW Optical, McCoys, Back to Action Physical Therapy, John Hunter Ruiz, and other community members donated money which went to purchasing construction supplies, paint, active reading stools, laptops, balance seat cushions, and curtains. Brown Chevrolet generously donated ten Kindle Fire tablets.
The Glass Elementary Library is now ready for students this fall. PTK members will continue their research and hopefully have statistics to back up their hypothesis that an enticing library environment will encourage reading. SWTJC students have committed to volunteering in the Glass Elementary Library this fall and to work with Glass staff to help organize literacy events. SWTJC faculty and students are now working on placing neighborhood libraries throughout the Eagle Pass community in the hopes that every child in the community has access to books.