BOOK EXCHANGE READIES FOR SCHOOL YEAR

The all-volunteer staff of the Book Exchange of Marin held an open house to introduce its redesigned and refurbished facility at 852 Del Ganado Road in San Rafael on Aug. 18. Following months of sorting books, rearranging the facility into individual spaces featuring books related to different subjects and age groups, and providing more accessible book shelving and decor, students from Marin’s most under-resourced elementary and middle schools will be greeted with a new look and feel when their field trips begin in mid-September. Special guests at the open house included Marin County Supervisor Mary Sackett, San Rafael City Councilmember Rachel Kertz, former Mill Valley mayor Dick Spotswood and members of multiple Marin Rotary clubs. The redesign was made possible by Courtney Smith, principal of Courtney B. Smith Design, who donated her services guiding the Book Exchange volunteers and maintenance crew. The mission of the Book Exchange of Marin is to promote child literacy, encourage a love of reading, and work to ensure that all underresourced children in Marin have access to quality books. The Book Exchange annually donates approximately 20,000 free books to about 2,000students from Marin’s Title I schools. Between 75 and 100 students come to the facility each Wednesday morning during the school year. They each receive 10 free books and a recyclable book bag. For more information, visit bookexchangemarin.org.