(PDF) (DOC) (JPG)March 23, 2010

(MAHWAH, NJ) – Ramapo College of New Jersey’s School of Social Science and Human Services is proud to support Ramapo Readers, a book drive that has recently collected more than 9000 books for schools in Paterson, New Jersey. The initiative was begun by Dr. Kim Lorber, Assistant Professor of Social Work. Dr. Frances Shapiro-Skrobe, Professor of English with the College’s Teacher Education Program, has been instrumental in co-facilitating and expanding the program beyond the campus borders to create linkages with a variety of community groups. Social Work Club members have been carrying out all aspects of this endeavor. This project’s motto is: “Ramapo Readers: Changing the world one book at a time”.

“The goal of Ramapo Readers is to show that, even in a time of economic crisis, we can help others by redistributing resources,” said Dr. Lorber, Advisor to the club. “One person’s “unneeded” books can make a difference for students in a school without funds with which to maintain its library. Ramapo Readers is committed to linking resources and recipients to promote literacy and a love of reading.”

Over the past five months, student volunteers have delivered books to two schools in Paterson, New Jersey: P.S. 28, a kindergarten through fourth grade school, and Eastside High School. Books are distributed, not only to the schools’ libraries, but also to teachers for their classrooms, and, most important of all, to the students themselves. Last month, drop-off boxes were placed throughout Ramapo College’s residence halls and academic buildings. Students from other groups on campus, including the Future Teachers at Ramapo, are joining this effort. Through their leadership and hard work, social work majors Claudia Montes and Wayne Harper have been guiding forces in the campaign’s success.

“The School of Social Science and Human Services at Ramapo College strongly supports the Ramapo Readers program as an example of the commitment to education and community service long recognized as the tradition of the College,” said Dr. Samuel J. Rosenberg, Dean of the School of Social Science and Human Services.

Ramapo Readers is an outgrowth of an earlier book drive initiated by Dr. Lorber in 2006, and supported by Ramapo’s Follett College bookstore and the Social Work Club. The entire Ramapo College community contributed more than 7,500 textbooks for the library of Southern University in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. When Southern University’s library ran out of space and could accept no more books, the Social Work Club continued its work on a local level.

The success of Ramapo Readers has been dependent on both the perseverance of Ramapo’s student and faculty volunteers as well as on the generosity of so many donors throughout the College and the community. These include the UJA Federation of Northern New Jersey, The Glen Rock Jewish Center, and The Friends of both The Glen Rock and Tuxedo Public Libraries.

If you are interested in donating (non-text) books, or videotapes and DVDs, please contact the group by email at: ramaporeaders@ramapo.edu. More information about Ramapo Readers can be found on its Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=69183724814&ref=ts

Members of the media interested in learning more about the program may contact Anna Farneski in the Marketing and Communications Office at (201) 684-6844.

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About Ramapo College

Ramapo College of New Jersey is the state’s premier public liberal arts college and is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. The comprehensive college is situated among the beautiful Ramapo Mountains, is within commuting distance to New York City, was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America by CondeNast Traveler, and boasts the best on-campus housing in New Jersey per Niche.com. Established in 1969, Ramapo College offers bachelor’s degrees in the arts, business, data science, humanities, social sciences and the sciences, as well as in professional studies, which include business, education, nursing and social work. In addition, the College offers courses leading to teacher certification at the elementary and secondary levels, and offers graduate programs leading to master’s degrees in Accounting, Applied Mathematics, Business Administration, Contemporary Instructional Design, Computer Science, Creative Music Technology, Data Science, Educational Leadership, Nursing, Social Work and Special Education, as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

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