The Hudson Valley Chapter

About Books for Kids
Books for Kids is a national organization promoting early literacy among all children with a special emphasis on disadvantaged youth. Additional information can be found at our parent Books for Kids web site.

About the Hudson Valley Chapter
Since 1994, local efforts have placed approximately 120,000 new books in the hands of children throughout our region. The ability to share our love of reading with so many people brings us great joy. Our work is affirmed by the charming letters and drawings which we receive from grateful kids and adults.
Here is a list of recipients and agencies which we have served.

Acknowledgements
The gracious support of the Wallkill Central School District has been a mainstay during our tenure. Beginning in 2007, the Community Relations Department of Barnes & Noble Poughkeepsie, has spearheaded winter holiday book drives on our behalf, which have delivered thousands of books to grateful children in schools, libraries and agencies in the Hudson Valley area. Many individuals representing our recipients have given considerable time and effort to deliver books to their final destinations. We hereby express our appreciation to all.

About the Directors
Ellen Rubin is a retired school library media specialist. She worked in both public and school libraries for over 30 years in three states and retired from the Wallkill Central School District in June 2010, after working there for 24 years. She has tirelessly served within the New York Library Association (NYLA) and educational communities in a myriad of capacities, and enjoys well-earned respect and renown among her contemporaries. She is currently the Conference Chair for NYLA's annual conference, was elected to its Council, and is the New York State Coordinator for the Library of Congress Letters About Literature (LAL) program. The NYS LAL initiative is a part of the Empire State Center for the Book.

Michael Grafe is a longtime local resident and employee of Wallkill CSD, working within the educational technology arena. He also maintains the web site for the Wallkill Public Library. His varied background includes military service, and a tenure in the private business sector.

Contributions
Our local chapter will gladly accept new book donations or small monetary gifts, but we encourage benfactors to visit the donation page at our parent site. We always welcome assistance in the form of volunteer labor, storage facilities and transportation resources.

Thank you for visiting our pages.

2011 Holiday Book Drive
"Stock the Shelves"

Launch Event!
11AM | Friday, November 11, 2011
Barnes & Noble Poughkeepsie

Barnes & Noble Poughkeepsie will once again sponsor a Holiday Book Drive on behalf of Hudson Valley Books for Kids, beginning on November 1, 2011.

In these trying economic times, these donated books will go long way.

Our sincere thanks go to all who have participated in previous drives.

For additional information, please use the contact information at left, or contact Ms. Patricia DeCarmine, the Community Relations Manager for Barnes & Noble Poughkeepsie, at 845-485-2229.