“I like books, I like every book,” said Xavier Robertson, a 6th grader. “I like this library because if your book is overdue, they give you a pass, but others might charge you.”
Students at Claremont shared recently what they like about the Claremont library. The PTA is running an end-of-year fundraising campaign for the library and we need your help – tell your friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, everyone about the work of the library and share the campaign link.
“I like that there’s a big selection of books. I like Manga and Percy Jackson, anything with action,” said Francisco Ho-Herrera, also a 6th grader.
I’Lyiah Vital, a 7th grader, was in the library checking out Winter: The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer. She said she was trying to finish the series before the end of the year.
“I like the diverse choice of books, so if you like any type of book you can get it. I like to play games on the computers at lunch, math games and read,” said Ren Green, a 6th grader.
Open Library Means More Reading
The Claremont library matters to students. Before 2011, the year that Carla Reimer started as our librarian, just 325 books circulated. This year, students have checked out more than 5,000 books through April.
“What I like is that they incorporate all different types of books,” said Garrett Falkell, also a 6th grader. “I like Manga and books by Christopher Paul Curtis, he writes books about historical fiction, I liked Journey of Little Charlie. I like the posters, which have important information we should know about history. ”
“I like that parents are volunteering and that there are so many different genres,” said Cayleigh Villanueva, also a 6th grader. “I like the Manga section because most libraries don’t have Manga.”
Raising Money for the Library
Since the district has withdrawn funding for the library, the PTA is holding a campaign, called Open Books, Open Minds, which aims to raise $20,000.
The PTA has created a YOU CARING page (https://www.youcaring.com/claremontmiddleschoolptaoaklandca-1177278) that we hope will allow families to ask their networks — grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, co-workers, neighbors, and friends — for the additional support we need to meet our fundraising goal! Of course, donations from CMS parents are also always welcomed!