Next week, Munger Mountain Elementary School (MMES) in Jackson, Wyoming, students will have the opportunity to shop for books for their family members free of charge during a schoolwide event called the Winter Book Giveaway.
Organized by MMES librarian Melissa Snider, this years event is the fourth of its kind held by the school during the holidays. The Winter Book Giveaway is set up like a book fair, and students are encouraged to select and wrap books to give as gifts. For many kids, it’s the first time they’ve had the opportunity to choose and give a gift of their very own to someone they care about.
MMES students enjoy reading in their school library.
“Students are so proud to wrap and take home gifts for their families,” said Melissa. “The joy is contagious.”
Thousands of books for the event are donated by the Teton County Library and the Teton County Literacy Center, as well as booksellers. Last year, over 1,500 books were given away during the Winter Book Giveaway.
The books available to the students are appropriate for children ages 8 to 11, so when choosing books for older family members, students are encourage to select books they’d like to read with them together.
“Time spent turning pages with someone you love, learning fun facts or enjoying a story — that’s the best gift we can give,” she said.
MMES is one of seven elementary schools in Jackson, Wyoming, and serves over 350 students in grades K through 5. All students visit the library regularly to check out books and benefit from instruction in how to use the library effectively to learn and read for enjoyment.