Local agency gets books into the hands of at-risk kids

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Six months after opening, the Children's Book Bank has brought smiles to thousands of children.

The book bank, located at 350 Berkeley Street near Parliament and Gerrard streets, celebrated its six-month anniversary last week. Founded in May by North Toronto resident Kim Beatty, the bank has already distributed more than 15,000 books to children in the Regent Park area and other at-risk communities.

The bank has also taken on a larger role within the community, hosting local elementary schools, preschools and daycares for regular storybook readings. The bank also acts as a resource for parenting and literacy centres.

"We want to get across how important reading is in a child's development," Beatty said. "The majority of our customers don't speak English, but one important fact we want to get across is that you don't need to read (English) to read, especially with babies. Even just explaining what you think is going on in pictures in a book helps development."

The book bank has built up a strong relationship with the Yonge Street Mission, welcoming the mission's daycare and kindergarten readiness classes in for story times. The bank is also constantly looking for ways to reach out to other at-risk communities elsewhere in Toronto, delivering books to children at schools in the Jane-Finch and Markham-Ellesmere areas.

"We keep expanding our reach to hit broader and broader targets," Beatty said. "The thing that's nice about this location is that, say a school is coming down to visit Riverdale Farm in the spring, or Allan Gardens, anything involving a trip to downtown Toronto, they can drop by here."

The book bank has relied on the generosity of the community - it accepts donated children's books so long as they are in good condition - to help bring books into the homes of those who may not otherwise have a chance to own many reading materials.

"These books were all sitting in somebody's basement, library or garage," Beatty said. "How great is it to get them into the hands of kids who will use them?"

The efforts of staff at the book bank do not go unappreciated. Several of the regular customers will help tidy up the shop at the end of each day and the bank has received countless cards and letters from parents and children showing their appreciation. Some local youth have even lent their efforts to the cause. Though she does not use the bank personally, youngster Javaria Mughal makes metal bookmarks that are sold at the book bank to raise funds.

"I really like reading and it's hard to imagine not being able to have books," she said. "I thought it was great that they're giving other children a chance not only to read but to own books."

Some children in the community even bring back books after they've finished reading them to ensure that others have a chance to enjoy them.

"We don't want the books back - we want (kids) to build their libraries - but they're proud to be able to share," Beatty said.

For local resident and avid reader Nolawie Getu, getting free books is like a dream come true. He drops by as often as twice a day to pick up new reading materials.

"It's a great idea to have this (bank) here with all the books because books at bookstores can be expensive," he said. "Reading was a hobby of mine before, but now I do it every day."

Getu's mother, Jimma Mekonen, said the help and support offered by the book bank have made it easier for her to keep her son reading and expanding his horizons.

"He reads everywhere now, even on the streetcar," she said.