(TROY, MI)
– The Troy Public Library invites children in Troy ages 4-7, especially those
who may have vision-related disabilities, to a story time event on Saturday, January 21, at 11:15 am, in
the Troy Library’s meeting room. Youth
Services Librarian Julie McGee and Library Director Cathy Russ will be reading
“My Fair Child,” by Maureen Ryan and
“Randy Kazandy, Where Are Your Glasses?”
by Rhonda Fischer.
This story time will be followed by a
tour of the new items and equipment added to the Youth Special Needs Collection. These items were purchased through a
substantial donation from employees of Meritor, a Troy-based company; private
individuals; and the Friends of the Troy Public Library. The generous donation
was given to the Troy Library to purchase large print materials, with emphasis
on novels for ages 8-12; non-fiction books on visual impairments; and
magnifiers to assist in reading; all for children.
The Friends of the Troy Public Library
also contributed towards this project to purchase kits with special reading
materials and magnifiers that children can use at home. The materials will help children who have
visual impairments such as albinism, dyslexia, ADHD, traveling eye, an
inability to see color, and more. “This donation is incredible,” Library
Director Cathleen Russ said. “It is
amazing what this group of people have been able to accomplish, and the entire
Troy community will benefit from their generosity.”
The initiative for the project came
from a group of southeast Michigan businesswomen representing Meritor, Henry
Ford Health Systems, GM and Inforum.
These women are part of a leadership class that included a community
service project. "Our project was to increase awareness
and social acceptance of children with albinism. As we
interacted with them, we were touched by the vision difficulties which are
common with these beautiful children," Meritor Engineering Supervisor
Laura Klemm said. "Armed with pictures
and stories, it was easy to appeal to the generosity of the Meritor community
and other private donors."
“It has been a pleasure
working with Laura Klemm and her Inforum Leadership program. Their
dedication to include children of all abilities into the reading world through
their determined efforts, has helped to create this special story
time and tour,” Youth Services Librarian Julie McGee said. McGee worked extensively with the donors to
coordinate the collection, equipment and program.
The Library’s Special Needs Collection
was implemented in October 2007, a gift from the Friends of the Troy Public
Library. It includes traditional library
materials such as books and DVDs, as well as interactive items that children
with disabilities can use to enhance and promote learning and skill-building. “Children of all ages like to keep up with popular fiction
and this enhanced Large Type book collection will enable those with visual
impairments to do just that,” McGee added.
The Troy Library staff hopes to continue this
story time in the future, if there is interest from the community.
“This program is going to be
wonderful!” Meaghan Battle, Head of Youth Services said “It is a great
way to celebrate recent donations to our Special Needs Collection from Meritor,
private donors, and Friends of the Troy Public Library; highlight what the
collection has to offer; and welcome children of all
abilities. We look forward to seeing everyone there!”
The Troy Library is located at 510 W.
Big Beaver Rd. For more information about the TPL
visit www.troylibrary.info
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