Education and Libraries

“EDUCATION IS FOR IMPROVING THE LIVES OF OTHERS AND FOR LEAVING YOUR COMMUNITY AND WORLD BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT.” – MARIAN WRIGHT EDLEMAN

GFWC members promote education at all levels. We help others, while continuing to learn ourselves. Projects in the Education and Libraries Community Service Program are designed to foster schools and educational institutions, and to promote literacy, libraries, and the love of a good book. We encourage the growth of individuals and communities at home and around the world. Education has been a cornerstone of GFWC. Our founder, Jane Cunningham Croly formed the General Federation of Women’s Clubs “to support clubs throughout the nation and further their efforts at providing education, improved working conditions, health care, scholarships, and other reforms.” Consider these project ideas lifelong learning as well as the preservation of books and libraries.

2024-2026 GFWC-NC Education and Libraries CSP Chairman: Donna Geise

2024-2026 GFWC-NC Education and Libraries Junior CSP Chairman: Hanna-Jane Lloyd

COMMUNITY CONNECTION INITIATIVE: Support High-Quality Early Learning Programs

Establish a working relationship with librarians at your local libraries to plan beneficial services, programs, and activities. Libraries bring people together. Engage your members to participate with their ideas, talent, and time. Bring cohesion to the Education and Libraries by helping
people learn and grow by offering training classes for all ages: computer skills, lunch and learn workshops, GED, ESL, literacy, current topics for seniors, and more.

Collaborate activities with your schools to enhance enthusiasm for students to use the library for reading and resources. Create programs for teens with an emphasis on issues they face daily using library resources. Is there a need for a book delivery service for shut-ins or books on
tape for the visually impaired? Sponsor a contest to name a library mascot or to design a button or bookmark. Be creative and enthusiastic.

Advocate for local and state funding for your library.
Volunteer at your local library.
Donate books to public libraries including books on STEM and STEM careers; teach a class.
Honor your librarians on National Librarian Day April 16, 2023, and April 16, 2024.
Celebrate library recognition days (see calendar at ala.org) with social media posts.
Partner with daycares and summer camps on reading activities for children.
Establish reading programs at veteran and senior facilities.
Partner with businesses and civic groups to purchase books related to their work.
Sponsor a Book Festival with local authors, a book character parade for children with prizes, and library-inspired activities for all ages.
Promote STEM projects and activities for special needs students.

2022 GFWC Honorable Mention: Greensboro Woman’s Club- STORYWALK

Greensboro Woman’s Club (GWC) members created a mobile Story Walk which featured the book “From Head to Toe” by Eric Carle. The first installation of the story was on the grounds of the local public library. Children could walk or run from page to page, reading and reacting to the story. Approximately 60 children participated during the first week of the Story Walk. GWC members then moved the portable Story Walk to more than 15 locations during the spring and summer. Children at various schools, libraries, and parks had an opportunity to take a walk and read the story independently or with their families.

PROJECT IDEAS

Encourage members and others to foster and support educational opportunities for all ages in their communities.
Provide local teachers with supplies for their classrooms, including “treasure chest” stickers or small items that can be used as incentives for positive behavior.
Educate members and the community at large on ways to improve low adult and youth literacy rates. Establish reading groups for children, teens or adults or start a book club.
Work to stop bullying with blue ribbons, blue ‘pinky swear’ and “Stop Bullying” bracelets or support/fund buddy benches.
Celebrate National Library Week and National Library Workers Day in April by saying #ThankYouLibraries on social media with photos and stories about the library. Or, organize a special event for library patrons and staff, such as a book reading by an author.
Offer a club education scholarship.
Promote and support Epsilon Sigma Omicron (ESO), open to GFWC members, for self-enrichment and personal growth.
Participate in the online GFWC ESO reading book club. The on-line reading book club has selected one book per month from various categories. Search for the Facebook page: GFWC 2022-2024 ESO Book Club.
Support Reach Out & Read Carolinas; Education & Libraries ROR Flyer and Reach Out & Read Carolinas Programs and Information

HISTORY

1903 – Traveling libraries were started in NC. A total of 92 traveling libraries, later known as bookmobiles, were
donated to the State Library Commission.
1930 – Educational pilgrimage of 186 adult women and men night school students to Washington, DC in support
of adult education. Their initial efforts led to the establishment of the Extension Division of the University of
North Carolina.
1965 – Combined with the Sallie Southall Cotten Loan Fund established in 1913, the new Sallie Southall Cotten
Scholarship became an annual four-year renewable scholarship.
2008 – Contributed over $70,000 to the Blue Ridge Parkway Parks as Classrooms Project.