Harvest of Books begins Friday

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By the Lincoln Journal Star

It’s officially harvest time.

Not just pumpkins, gourds and apples — but books.

Friday marks the start of the 11th annual Harvest of Books, a drive to place at least two brand-new books into the hands of every first- and second-grader in Lincoln’s public, private and parochial schools.

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A student reads one of the books collected by an eighth-grade class for the annual Harvest of Books event at Scott Middle School in Lincoln in 2006. (LJS file)

A student reads one of the books collected by an eighth-grade class for the annual Harvest of Books event at Scott Middle School in Lincoln in 2006. (LJS file)

Any time through Oct. 19, people can receive a 25 percent discount from local booksellers on books purchased for donation to the Harvest. Financial contributions are also accepted.

A joint project of the Lincoln Education Association and the Lincoln Journal Star, more than 100,000 books have given to Lincoln’s beginning readers since the Harvest of Books began in 1997.

The program is designed to support the efforts of children who are just learning to read, and to promote the importance of reading for a lifetime.

Because many children have never owned a new book, Harvest organizers request donations of only new books, and books that are easy enough for learning readers to read by themselves.

Bookplates are provided for people who wish to sign their donations.

The books will be distributed to students the week of Nov. 24.

The following Lincoln bookstores are offering a 25 percent discount on books for the Harvest:

* Adventist Book Center, 4745 Prescott Ave.

* Barnes and Noble Booksellers, both locations: 5150 O St. and the SouthPointe Pavilions.

* Gloria Deo, Alamo Center.

* Lee Booksellers, Edgewood Center, 5500 S. 56th St.

* Lemstone Christian Stores, 2801 Pine Lake Road, Suite J

* Nebraska Bookstore, 1300 Q St.

* University Bookstore, in the Nebraska Union lower level and the East Campus Union, lower level.

* Usborne Books at Home, www.MiriamsBooks.com.

Tax-deductible financial donations can be sent to: Harvest of Books, c/o Lincoln Education Association, 4920 Normal Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68506 or online at lincolneducationassociation.org.