UNC Libraries 2014 Book Drive

The UNC Chapel Hill 2014 book drive for Karl's Books was hugely successful. 1665 books were collected! The project is run by the Library Diversity Programming and Education Committee and this is their blog entry http://blogs.lib.unc.edu/news/index.php/2014/12/1665-books-for-pediatric-cancer-patients-thanks-to-you/. I want to send these book fairies a special thanks for all of their work and this year it also involved moving the books to storage. I know the children and their families will enjoy many moments of escaping into these treasured books. And thanks to everyone who donated these books. Your generosity is wide reaching and will help Karl's Books to continue another year. Love, Kathy, Book Fairy

UNC Book Drives

I was thinking that Karl's Books has come a long way in 7 1/2 years. I started out hauling boxes of books up the ramps and elevators of the old Gravely Building on a little fold up luggage cart held on with bungee cords and stored the books in my garage. We now store our books at the hospital and have student volunteers restocking the shelves. And because the UNC book drives have been so successful, they collect enough books for the whole year and I've been able to simplify the program. And this year we are making the program even more self-sustaining by having the library co-ordinate with the hospital in moving the books to storage. It has always been my hope that the program could continue without me and we're pretty close. Just to remind you of the types of books we're looking for. We want books that are in really good shape. New is great, but used is OK as long as it is in good condition. These books are a gift to the children. Please no books that make noise (nurse's request), have been written or drawn in, the stickers have been partially used, or are dirty or moldy. I asked the clinic for book suggestions and this is what they said: Book recommendations: board books, Spanish books!!!! (for the very young), series books for elementary school kids and adolescent.... Thanks for checking in. Love, Kathy, Book Fairy

2013 Book Drive

On this Christmas Eve I would like to thank everyone for making the annual book drive for Karl’s Books an overwhelming success! A total of 4086 books were collected. UNC Libraries collected 3686 books and 1100 of these were from the Medical School. And Facilities where I work, collected 400 books. What a wonderful stock pile we have now to distribute to the clinic’s patients and their siblings.

On this beautiful sunny afternoon, I wish you peace. Love, Kathy Book Fairy

UNC Students Volunteer

The Book Fairy is getting some much needed help from three current UNC students. Max Nagle, Ashlyn Burns and Katelyn Jones have volunteered to help restock and organized the clinic's book shelves each month.

We met last Friday and with Donna Lucier's help, we pulled all of the many chapter books from the shelves, sorted and restocked. We also put out new board books and picture books. So, we're ready for a busy fall. Karl's Books continues to be a popular distraction at the clinic and the staff appreciate the many books we provide. UNC Chapel Hill Libraries are in the planning stages for their annual book drive for us in December. We love the quality of books they are able to collect. So, I'll be the one to thank you all for your continued support. Love, Kathy Book Fairy

Asheville High School Book Drive

Alex Biggs knows first hand what its like to sit in hospital waiting rooms. His older sister Courtney, who turned 23 this year, has been an oncology patient since she was a baby. They both have been students at North Buncombe High School in Asheville, NC and this year Alex encouraged them to host a book drive for Karl's Books. They collected over 400 books. These books will help other families as they spend hours in the clinic during treatment days. I want to thank this family and their school for their support. Love, Kathy

Book Fairy Flies to School

The Book Fairy visited Rashkis Elementary School this past Friday and read to all the kindergarteners. They in turn collected much needed board books for the clinic. The kids were full of questions. "Are you a real fairy?". "Did you fly here?". And one little boy with a UNC t-shirt on asked if I was the UNC Book Fairy and if I was a Tar-heel. I said of course. Thanks to all of the great kids, their families and the school's staff. Love, Kathy

Donations

Thanks to local book drives hosted by UNC Libraries, home schoolers and private individuals Karl's Books is stocked up for now. So, please no more book deliveries. What we still need are new preschool board books and Spanish books. So, either collect these or host fund raisers and mail the check to the hospital and I will be glad to buy the books I know the kids enjoy.

Thanks for your interest and participation. The kids and families continue to enjoy the books.

Love, Kathy

Mail your checks to the address below.