Texas Border Business
PHARR – In an effort to continue promoting literacy, two PSJA librarians have scheduled virtual Scholastic Book Fairs for their students.
The online book fair, which is hosted by Scholastic, will run a total of 14 days for each campus. Students have the option to purchase from more than 6,000 titles and items, including more than 200 Spanish and bilingual books, and more than 1,000 books that are less than $5.
Carmen Anaya Elementary will be hosting their book fair from Tuesday, April 21 – Monday, May 4, John Doedyns Elementary will host theirs from Friday, April 24 – Thursday, May 7, and Berta Palacios Elementary will have theirs from Monday, May 4 to Sunday, May 17.
For Anaya Elementary Librarian Laura Quiroz, hosting a virtual book fair will not only allow families to continue expanding their at-home library, but hopes it also creates a sense of normalcy for students during this time.
“I think it’s important because there’s that need for students— they want to continue reading,” Quiroz said. “They miss going to the library and this gives them the opportunity to continue reading right now, as even our public libraries are closed. I wanted to give them that opportunity.”
Not only will students have the opportunity to purchase some of their favorite books to keep at home, Quiroz said she also wanted a way to reward students in the process. Her campus Principal agree to dye her hair hot pink if they reach their book goal.
“I’m trying to spice it up,” Quiroz laughed. “I’m also pushing it on social media. We would do so well at school. It was always something where you saw the families bonding with their children in the library. So, if it can’t take place at school, I wanted it to continue at their house.”
Anyone can visit the links to shop for books, including parents, staff, teachers and grandparents. Twenty-five percent of profits go back to the school in Scholastic Dollars, which are then used for student incentives.
“Book Fairs connect students to the book of their choosing,” said Linda Martinez, Librarian at Doedyns Elementary. “A lot of my staff will also shop and comment about their own happy memories of shopping at their own bookfair as a child, so why not attend an online book fair? There’s a convenience of shopping for your favorite books in your pajamas!”
All orders will ship in 7-10 days, straight to the child’s home for a contact-free delivery. Families may purchase books from their sister PSJA Schools, more virtual stores will be opened soon.
