David Laughlin
The Duncan Banner
DUNCAN —
Developing a passion for reading is impossible without books. Developing a library suitable for any community can prove to be a costly affair. Tate Publishing, through Bobby Nichols, donated almost 500 books to various organizations throughout Stephens County.
Stephens County Youth Shelter was initially slated to receive the books, but when Nichols arrived with a car-load of boxes containing books, the recipients of the book were expanded to include Smart Start Program, Gabriel’s House, Duncan Public Library, Duncan Senior Citizens Center, Women’s Haven and the Chisholm Trail Book Festival.
The books ranged from children’s books with vivid, colorful illustrations to cooking books geared toward an older generation.
Becky Summers said many of the books aimed at mature readers will be donated to the book festival. The book festival will be Sept. 18. Summers said the books will be placed in grab-bags for the authors.
Summers said more than 75 authors attended in 2009 and she expects even more to attend this year.
Daisy Lawler said some of the books will be used to fill the library at Elm Terrace apartments. She said the library is almost ready to begin circulating books.
“When you have an opportunity to collect books, you do,” Lawler said. “The more books we can get into the hands of kids, the better.”
Nichols said the entire situation was providential. He said he was asked to call his publisher at Tate Publishing and ask if they had any books to donate. Nichols received a call telling him to get to Mustang as quickly as possible. The books that were donated were set to be destroyed and recycled.
Representatives from each respective organization gathered as many books as they could. Even after they all had their share, mountains of books were still left on the table in Legacy Bank.
“Our original intent was to gather books for the Stephen’s County Youth Shelter,” Glenna Pace with the Chisholm Trail Book Festival said.
“Through the generosity of Tate Publishing of Mustang we were able to give many others in our community the opportunity to add to their libraries.”
— David Laughlin is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 144, or via e-mail at david.laughlin@duncanbanner.com.
