By Carla O’Day
Students at two Reno schools were surprised Monday with boxes full of books donated by shoppers during the holidays at Barnes & Noble Inc.
Echo Loder and Hidden Valley elementary schools received about 1,100 books each, which were passed out during an assembly, along with a $3,100 check from City National Bank, which partnered with the retail bookseller. School staff can use the money at Barnes & Noble to buy books, Nooks, and other items for the school.
Nooks are a brand of e-reader based on an Android platform.
Sometimes a school uses the monetary donation to buy books for its library, to send books home with students, as incentives for students, or a combination, said Carolyn Rodriguez, City National Bank vice president of marketing.
“Schools know where the greatest needs are,” Rodriguez said.
Different schools are picked each year to receive books in effort to reach as many students as possible, Rodriguez said. This was the holiday book drive’s ninth year.
Loder principal Dina Ciaramella thanked the community for buying books and mentioned how much of a treat this is for students.
“What makes today special is they’re getting a brand new book,” Ciaramella said.
Paul Stowell, City National Bank senior vice president of marketing, told the students that literacy is important.
“Literacy is your education and your education is your future and your future can be whatever you want it to be,” Stowell said.
