Curt Ledford carts boxes of books from Kettleson Memorial Library to a Sitka Tours bus, for "World Book Night." The event distributes free books to anyone who wants them, and took place in 6,000 U.S. cities on Monday. (KCAW photo/Ed Ronco)
A bus full of librarians and volunteers traveled around Sitka on Monday, handing out books to anyone who wants them.
It’s part of World Book Night – a book giveaway happening in 6,000 American cities today.
Sarah Bell is the director of Kettleson Memorial Library. She says reading exercises the brain and allows it to make new connections.
“And, if you read fiction, fiction readers tend to have better social skills,” Bell said. “They tend to be more empathetic because they’re always exploring human relationships and quandaries and all of that. Reading is great because it continues to develop your brain and it makes you a nicer person. Reading is something I just think is wonderful. I know the benefits, and I feel like sometimes maybe other people need to hear the benefits.”
The bus began its cruise at Spruce Grove Apartments shortly after 4 p.m., and is scheduled to end around 7 p.m. this afternoon, near Coast Guard housing. In between, it’s planning stops at the Baranof Island Brewing Company, the Indian River neighborhood, SeaMart, McDonalds, The Pioneer Bar, Ernie’s Old Time Saloon, Mt. Edgecumbe High School and more.
The group is distributing ten titles in all, including copies of “Otto the Book Bear,” in memory of librarian Nancy Gustavson, who died late last year.
