Because "Reading is the Beginnings of the Ability to be a Good Student"
Trustees at the Westbank Community Library recently announced that their new branch, scheduled for opening sometime next year, will be named in honor of first lady Laura Bush.
A former school teacher, Mrs. Bush earned a reputation for being a strong proponent of public literacy projects while her husband was the governor of Texas. In 1995, she established the Texas Book Festival. The year after that, she helped create the Family Literacy Initiative for Texas, which pushed for increasing "reading readiness" among children in low-income families.
"...we know some children don't have books at home -- which makes it even more important for them to have access to books at school," said the first lady this past July. "Teachers appreciate libraries filled with up-to-date books that support the curriculum."
Once completed, the new Laura Bush Community Library will offer such amenities as downloadable books, a "drive-up book window," and a family center. Another $1.3 million needs to be raised before construction can begin.
Top photo by Hamish Grant from blogTO, library sketch from Westbank Community Library homepage
