Link To Libraries, Inc.

06/04/2026

We are excited to welcome Link to Libraries board member Kathy Martin and her wife, Dr. Andrea Hickson-Martin, as the new Community Book Link Sponsors for Kelly School Holyoke Public Schools! Andrea previously taught history at Kelly School, so when Kathy learned the school was in need of a sponsor, she and Andrea were eager to help.

Thanks to their generous support, Kelly School’s library will receive 200 new high-quality books each year. Because Kelly is a dual-language school, many of these books will be bilingual, helping even more students see themselves reflected in the stories they read.

To celebrate the new partnership, Kathy and Andrea spent time with a 2nd grade classroom and surprised each student with a brand-new book to take home for summer reading. The visit was especially meaningful for Andrea, who had the opportunity to tour her former school with her colleague-turned-principal, Aaron Morris. She even got to step back into her old classroom - be sure to check out the last photo for a special trip down memory lane!

Thank you, Kathy and Andrea, for investing in Kelly School students and for helping foster a lifelong love of reading!

05/28/2026

Amy Anderlonis, Executive Vice President of Link to Libraries, recently visited a 4th grade classroom at Edgar Parkman Elementary School to read “What Emma Wrote: The Woman Behind the Words of the Statue of Liberty” by 🗽

The story sparked a thoughtful discussion about the meaning behind the Statue of Liberty and the importance of treating all immigrants with compassion, empathy, and kindness. Students learned how Emma Lazarus, a Jewish American writer, was deeply moved by the harsh treatment of Jewish immigrants arriving in New York City from Russia. In response, she wrote the now-famous words engraved on the Statue of Liberty: “Give me your tired, your poor. Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…”

Books truly have the power to open minds, inspire empathy, and connect history to the world students see today. 💚

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Link to Libraries read aloud visit without every student choosing a new book to take home. 🥰

05/21/2026

Delivering books to our Community Book Link schools in Boston today! It has been such an exciting year of expansion for Link To Libraries, Inc.. Looking forward to welcoming more schools and inspiring even more young readers in the fall!

04/30/2026

Yesterday, Cece Caban and Nava Berezin turned their idea into impact by hosting a bake sale at their school to support Link to Libraries. From planning to selling, they did it all themselves and raised an incredible $240 - enough to provide 80 new books to children in need. 💚

Cece and Nava volunteer their time not for credit, but because they genuinely care about giving back and supporting our mission. We’re so grateful for these two inspiring teens and the difference they’re making!

04/29/2026

Michaela Fitzgerald is one of our superstar volunteer readers at White Street Elementary School Public Schools - Massachusetts where she used to be a teacher! We are so grateful for Michaela and her dedication to childhood literacy 💚.

"Only one read aloud left and making it count. We had the best day! I never taught these angels, but I taught almost all of their older siblings. The fact that they still know who I am feels like one of the biggest honors. The teacher Margaret Tabb has always been a role model to me in every sense, especially when it comes to high expectations and outcomes that create meaningful readers. Today felt really full circle. So many connections, so many layers. Just like a good reader and a good book." 🥰📙💚

04/29/2026

"Today I read for the first time The Proudest Blue by Olympic Medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad. I don’t think I’ve ever had a class keep so quiet. What was special was two of the students will someday wear a hijab when they are older. One of them tried to help me with my pronunciation; we all giggled. When my teacher Cathy Johnson asked, after the book was finished, if she was looking forward to wearing hers, the girl just beamed. Actually, both did. But my “assistant” was so proud! For me, she brought the book to life! And I was really glad to have read it to this class." 💚
- Karen Blinderman, Link to Libraries Volunteer Reader
Fausey Elementary School, West Springfield

04/22/2026

A million thank you's to Western Mass News for being our media sponsor and for so generously helping us to spread the word about Link To Libraries, Inc.'s mission to give children a better chance at success in school and in life through books and reading. We are so grateful!

04/17/2026

Today Link To Libraries, Inc. celebrated a new Community Book Link partnership that feels like a match made in heaven. 16 Lyrics , a nonprofit dedicated to putting diverse, anti-racist books into the hands of students, recently sponsored Springfield Public Schools - Massachusetts' Glenwood Elementary, ensuring students at Glenwood will have access to hundreds of brand new, multicultural books throughout the year. Ryan McCollum made the sponsorship official today, visiting a 4th grade classroom, sharing a book with students and bringing brand new books for all participating to take home and keep. We are so grateful to 16 Lyrics and to Ryan for the work they do to help inspire young readers!

04/16/2026

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Tennis champion Serena Williams shares how reading builds confidence, curiosity, and identity in young learners.

04/16/2026

Thank you Sloane Wick and Western Mass News team for your support of Link to Libraries 💚📚🥰.

https://www.westernmassnews.com/2026/04/15/volunteers-pack-books-help-western-mass-kids-become-strong-readers/

Spent my morning putting stickers into books for
Link To Libraries, Inc., and it was one of those small things that ended up meaning even more than I expected. It’s incredible to think each of these books will end up in a child’s hands and become part of their story. I love reading myself and even saw a few of my childhood books. Supporting reading and organizations like this feels like a quiet but real way to make a difference. If you’ve ever thought about giving back, this is your sign to start somewhere.
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