The Book Store at Western recently received the Friend of the Year Award from the Friends of the London Public Library at the organization’s annual general meeting and 20th anniversary celebration Wednesday.
Since 1995, the staff of The Book Store at Western has partnered with the London Public Library and Friends for the A Book For Every Child Program campaign, raising money to purchase books for the program. The Book Store also offers a year-round 20 per cent discount off any book purchased for the program.
Serving Western since 1925, The Book Store at Western is owned by the university and supports its academic mission. Primarily an educational resource for students and faculty, The Book Store provides course materials for all university courses. The Book Store is service driven and revenues support student services, facilities, and programming.
“We are humbled, and honoured, at being recognized as Friend of the Year by the Friends of the London Public Library,” said Stephen Cribar, associate director of sales and communications for Western Retail Services. “We are fortunate to have staff members who care deeply about the A Book For Every Child program, and they’ve made it a year-round goal to help The Book Store at Western contribute.”
Organized by library staff and Friends, a Book for Every Child is an annual campaign during November and December. Books are distributed to children who otherwise would not own a book, through more than 50 area agencies serving families and children. The program promotes awareness of the importance of books in a child’s life, supports family literacy and has a direct and lasting impact on children in our community.
Friends of the London Public Library, a volunteer organization, provides community support for the library system. During its first 18 years, Friends has raised more than $1 million for library programs and services not covered by the city operating grant.