Library funds are always less than the need to keep a vibrant, up to date collection. One fund raiser that children and parents enjoy is a Birthday Book Club. In short parents donate a sum of money to the library in honor of their child(ren). When the month of the child's birthday arrives you can have the child select a book for the library. It is best to have a special section of books from which to make a choice. The book is donated to the library. Place a bookplate at the beginning of the book that states the book was donated by the child. Demco has a Birthday Book Club design available.

The child may check the book out, but may not keep the book. I like to stress how special it is to give a gift to the library. Whenever anyone checks out that book they will see the child's name. No other personal information is included on the bookplate. An option for concerned parents would be to only put the child's first name on the bookplate.

You will want to select a time when donations are due. It can be a continual time during the year, "By the first of the month." It can also be done by the school calendar, "By the second week of school." The amount of the donation will also need to be decided. I have chosen the amount of $15.00 (per book). This allows me to purchase a range of books and includes processing fees. It will not cover the cost of many books. It is, though, an amount that can be budgeted by many families.

Included here is a sample of the form which I send home:

St. John's school is beginning a "Birthday Book Club" (BBC) for the 2001-2002 school year. The BBC is to help you honor your children on their birthdays.

How does the BBC work? It's simple! Fill out the form at the bottom of this page and return it with a check ($15 per book). When your child's birthday arrives they will be invited to select a new book from our "Birthday Book Club" stores. We will have a bookplate placed in it honoring your child and add it to the library collection. Members of the BBC will also receive a birthday/thank-you card from the school. What about summer birthdays? These students will celebrate their "half birthday." For example: A student with a July 15th birthday will select their Birthday Book January 15th. When completing the form please fill in the actual birthday.

To participate in the Birthday Book Club all forms must be received the second week of school. If you have any questions please call me at 722-0772.

Paula Laurita
Library Media Specialist

Name

Birthday

Grade/Class

Number of Books x $15 = Amount Enclosed