February 2001
Allison Bookstore Back in Business
We've got a blue light book special at Allison Elementary. We've got new books at less than half the cover price and used books at a quarter each.
We've got picture books, Spanish books, science books, chapter books, and even more books. And they're all available to students and teachers every week.
The Allison bookstore has been around for a couple of years. Last semester, an after-school class learned management skills and responsibilities associated with running the store. This semester, the bookstore is open every Wednesday after school, and plans are in the works to open it during lunch also.
Five students from fifth and sixth grades volunteer to work the bookstore's two locations every week. Two AmeriCorps members, Margaret Tarpley and me, supervise the students. Cindy Werland, who sponsors the bookstore along with Cora Lee Cope, appreciates the assistance: "AmeriCorps's help in organizing and supporting [the bookstore] has made a BIG difference."
AmeriCorps has been there from the beginning. Kristen Nelson founded the bookstore when she was an ACEE member at Allison. Charlie Hirst helped keep the bookstore alive with his dedication last year. He made bookmarks to sell in area stores in order to buy new books for the bookstore. Those who are involved in the store are willing to go the extra mile to keep it alive.
The bookstore is nonprofit, so all money made goes back to buying more books. The goal is to keep the books affordable so everyone can buy them. Mrs. Cope realizes the importance of having books on campus: "There aren't any bookstores around here. HEB doesn't have enough options in books. Kids love bookstores, and I want kids to have that excitement."
And that's why we all do it. We want to put books in the hands of children. We want to spread that excitement.
—Salena Copeland