The Great Library Refresh Project of SLT plans to refresh South Lake Tahoe school libraries

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Lift Literature, in collaboration with partners Cuppa Tahoe and the Marcella Foundation, along with local librarians, nonprofits, businesses, and community members, have announced "The Great Library Refresh Project of SLT." This visionary project seeks to breathe new life into the heart of Lake Tahoe's schools: their libraries.

In the words of Ray Bradbury, "Without libraries, what do we have? We have no past, and no future." This powerful sentiment underscores the vital role that school libraries play in shaping the minds and futures of our youth. Yet, for many Lake Tahoe students, access to books is limited. Shockingly, 51 percent of LTUSD students will only have access to books at school.

So far, $13,400 has been raised toward the $30,000 goal needed to get a starter $5,000 book order for all six South Lake Tahoe schools.

The Great Library Refresh Project of SLT is a threefold initiative:

1. Revitalize the Collections: Collaborating with our dedicated librarians, we aim to provide each of the six school libraries in the Lake Tahoe Unified School District with the books they need to inspire, educate, and empower their students. Librarians have wish lists, and we want to turn those wishes into realities.

2. Ignite a Love for Books: We believe that reading fosters imagination, empathy, hope, and new ideas. We aim to introduce students to new, relevant, and diverse books that will rekindle their passion for reading.

3. Raise Awareness: The project also endeavors to raise awareness of the ongoing need for library support in our community. We want to ensure that Tahoe's children continue to have access to quality books for years to come.

The statistics are staggering. California schools, including those in the Lake Tahoe area, fell significantly behind in reading and mathematics during the pandemic. Local students face a daunting 21.2-point deficit in English Language Arts and a staggering 66.3-point deficit in math. Nearly half of Tahoe families are socioeconomically disadvantaged, and a quarter are English learners.

"Our schools need support, and our community is answering the call," said Melissa Uppendahl of Lift Literature and the Marcella Foundation.

One critical issue the partners have identified is the lack of dedicated funding for school books. There is no annual budget for this essential resource, leaving librarians to resort to fundraising through grants or their PTAs. Outdated books, sometimes decades old, are still in circulation, providing students with outdated information and uninspiring content.

The Great Library Refresh Project of SLT aims to address this issue head-on. Community members, businesses, and organizations are invited to join in on this vital mission by becoming sponsors. Sponsorship levels range from Page Turner to Library Champion, offering a variety of recognition and engagement opportunities.

Those who share the vision for stronger, more vibrant school libraries are encouraged to visit the donation page at www.liftliterature.com/donate to learn more about sponsorship opportunities and make a contribution.

The ultimate goal of the project is to get kids reading. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a 20-book challenge this school year.

This initiative is about more than books; it's about inspiring creativity, empathy, and hope. It's about letting our children know that they are part of a bigger picture and that they matter.

For more information or to become a sponsor, please contact Melissa Uppendahl at muppendahl@liftliterature.com or visit www.liftliterature.com.