Here’s a snapshot look at the 2006 Book Drive in support of Harrison County Library. We’d like to thank everyone again for your incredibly generous support!

Grand Tally: 587 Donors, 1910 Books & $3205 in cash

1. Introduction to the 2006 Book Drive
2. Harrison County Library Info
3. Donation stories from the 2006 Book Drive
4. All posts from the 2006 Drive

A teenage girl in a school uniform came in one night this week to work on a school project. After finding what she needed, she went over to the YA (young adult) section and let out a small squeal of glee. One of the staff went over to talk to her as she was excitedly grabbing books off the shelves. The girl said she hadn’t been in the library in a long time because we hadn’t received any new books in so long. She was tired of not finding anything she wanted. We told her about the donations we had received, especially in YA books. She then asked about an incomplete series we had (by Stolarz), and was ecstatic when she found out the rest of the series were here waiting for processing. After a brief discussion about some of her favorite authors, she left with a smile on her face in anticipation of the books becoming available.

By the next day, we had rushed the books through processing, and called her to come and pick them up. Not only were we able to provide her with the books she wanted, we were also able to make a personal connection with her by showing we cared about her reading interests. We may not always be able to supply every title she wants, but we’ve let her know that we and so many other people all over the world share her passion for books.

Just as importantly, we were able to show her that even one year after Katrina, when beaches are still closed, FEMA trailers are still prolific, debris piles have yet to be cleared, and so many people still don’t have their homes replaced or repaired, life really isn’t at a standstill. The beaches will reopen, the FEMA trailers will slowly be replaced by real homes, the debris will be removed, and until then, the library will have a lot more books on the shelves — thanks to the Dewey Donation System. Small stories like this happen every day in our libraries, and when the damaged libraries reopen with your donated items on the shelves, there will be even greater impact on the people of our community.

For those with a low tolerance for the mushy, here’s where I start sounding uber-cheesy. Dewey Donation System has also had a great effect on the librarians, as well. When spirits are low we often go to the site to read your entries, and pull out the packing lists to read some of our favorite messages you’ve sent (we’re working on the individual thank-you letters, our apologies for the time delay). We never expected such a huge response, both in numbers of items donated and in the uplifting support of your messages. We just can’t tell you how wonderful you’ve been — you have given us such great joy and hope. It’s impossible to measure the impact that a good book, an eye-opening movie, or a kind act will have on its recipient. And Pamie and Glark, you guys rock! So if you’re ever passing through on I-10, stop on by, we’d love to meet you — we might even serve you some peanut butter pie.

- Sharon

DeAnn
JenE
Allie Gerlach
Meguita
Jana
Monica
RandomRanter
Laura H.
Johanna
Kate Bertram
wowkate@gmail.com

5 signed copies of Pamie’s new book Why Moms Are Weird:

Michael
Anonymous in LaLa Land
Erin Chadd
Jessica Wagner
Betsy

We will email you at the email used in your donation comment. Glarkware prize emails will be coming from glark@glarkware.com and book prizes from pamie@pamie.com (in case you wish to whitelist them in your spam filters).

Once again, thanks to everyone who donated to the drive — it was a pleasure to work with you!

It’s almost been a year since Katrina reminded us how quickly our lives could change, and of the extraordinary things people can do when they’re in the most unpredictable circumstances. Since much of the focus has been on rebuilding New Orleans, we thought our humble book drive could help where some extra attention might be needed.

Glark’s getting ready to announce the winners of our contests, so stay tuned.

Dewey’s got big things planned, so don’t forget to stop by. After all, you’re part of the Dewey family.

-pamie

Glarky P.S. — I will post the contest winners tomorrow (Tuesday).

We are officially closing the drive this coming Friday so if you were thinking of donating now is the time!

Remember, we are still having the draw for 10 prize packs of Glarkware shirts for everyone who donates to the drive and to sweeten the pot we are also adding the chance to win one of five autographed copies of Pamie’s new book “Why Moms Are Weird” for those that make a donation this week!

We lost the most recent Custom Recap Auction (and I almost lost my sanity during the final minutes of bidding), but we were planning to build on these funds in hopes of winning the next aution. Tubey, of course, had different plans.

Those sneaky Size Nines stepped in and announced what we already knew: “Top Chef” is worthy of being recapped. More importantly, it is worthy of a multi-thread forum (in green!!!), for which we cannot thank you enough, and Keckler’s assignment is the cherry on top. Yay!! We’re thrilled beyond all reason. Really, it’s awesome.

Now that we don’t need to bid in the next auction, and given that those of us who pledged are in such a state of bliss that we don’t care about any other shows–and anyway, most of us are busy getting our Magical Elves fix with “Project Runway”–we agreed to donate the whole of our coffers to the Dewey Donation System.

We figured that’s where the $$ was destined to go, anyway, and can’t think of a charity that we trust more. I’m on a reading kick myself and it’s hard to imagine not being able to escape into a novel when the real world is ripped to pieces. Hope this helps.

Warm regards,
Erin

Dewey note — Thanks to Erin and the Top Chef Coalitiion! We put this money towards 34 books for Orange Grove! You guys rock!

The kinda loveable mascot of Television Without Pity has been turned into over 40 unique toys by the lovely and talented Pwuellerstorfi. This last batch also includes the coveted Boot Tubey and Giant Tubey. 100% of the winning bids will go to the Harrison County Library System so if you are in the market for a plush devilish TV thing why not check them out and slap down a bid?

A Letter of Thanks From a Mississippi Gulf Coast Resident

I saw in our local paper that you have chosen to adopt our local libraries. Thank you so much. Many of us on the Coast do feel overlooked sometimes with all of the attention and help that New Orleans received. It warms my heart to know that there are people out there still thinking about us.

I am a parent of 3 and a school teacher so I know the value of a library system. I just wanted to let you know that I really appreciate this. My family will be directly affected by your thoughtfulness and the generosity of thousands of individuals.

I guess I will say it again—THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Sincerely,
Gretchen Gegenheimer and 3 children who love the library!

David & Pam,

I have the final numbers for the Pass Christian book drive. My friends made me cry at work the other day when they called to tell me that they just couldn’t let the total stand at $865. They got more donations and took them down to Sally, making the grand total $1000! We spent $600 on books and gave the library $400 in cash to order the books that hadn’t been released yet.

That’s so awesome!