Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Constantino.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Rebecca. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Rebecca Constantino was doing research after her Ph.D. studies when she came upon the librarian at an affluent school stacking boxes of almost new books in the hallway.
“I asked the librarian what she was doing with the books,” says Constantino, “She said, ‘Well, we just don’t have room. I’m throwing them away.’ I said, ‘Really? Can I have them?’ She said, ‘Sure.’ ”
So Constantino packed up all the books and drove them to an elementary school in Compton, an underprivileged section of the city about 15 miles away where schools were shuttering their libraries, unable to afford new books.
“A few days later, someone from Brentwood called me and said, ‘I hear you collect books,’ ” she says. “I told her, ‘I don’t really but you could bring them to me if you’d like.’ The next day I took them to another school.” After that she began getting calls from other schools and parents. “My car could fit about 4,500 books,” says Constantino, “I was really cramming them in there!” This was the start of Access Books. It grew from collecting books to complete library refurbishments which include painting murals in the library, providing new hardcover books and providing each classroom with a set of gently used books. The program is based on solid research that shows access to a quality library is the best predictor of reading and ability among children living in poverty.
Schools we serve have outdated, uninteresting collections. Most books are from the 1960’s. Moreover, the space is usually drab and uninteresting. Access Books aims to show children that reading, and the library are sources of adventure and joy. We want the books to be fun and interesting and reflective of their culture and background. It is very important that their images and stories are reflected in the books they read. Our librarian, Meghan Cason (MLS) spends a great deal of time creating collections each year for the library so that students’ interest is sparked, and they create a life-long habit of reading.
It is important when students enter the library, they see a welcoming place and they want to stay. That is why an integral part of the program is painting the library. We are very fortunate to partner with engaged, giving and talented local artists. Our main artist (who also runs our artist in residence program for high school aged artists) is Beatriz Valls (http://beatrizvalls-art.com/), a socially engaged artists who believes collaboration through art can make positive changes. Another local artist who volunteers time is Jen LaVita (https://www.jenlavita.com/), a West Los Angeles artist. She volunteers with us and helps students create warm and fun spaces in the library. The artists are integral to our mission of providing a welcoming space for students.
For every dollar we receive, 94 cents go to the program. We rely on volunteers. Volunteers sort books, catalogue books, do book drives and paint the library. We cannot fulfill our mission without generous donors and hardworking volunteers.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was a great deal of trial and error in how to best serve schools. Most school administrators don’t believe you want to partner with the school with nothing expected back. The biggest obstacle is that my background is people have NO idea that in California we don’t fund school libraries. Schools are responsible for funding the library. What this means is affluent and middle-class schools have well stocked libraries while students living in poverty have access to very little. Doubling that challenge is that children living in poverty usually don’t have access to a public library that is accessible. On another note, on challenge is that Constantino has a background in literacy and literacy research. While it was not her intent to run a nonprofit, the need was too great. There is a learning curve to switching gears.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Access Books – what should we know?
In California no funding for school libraries. This results in dismal collections with tattered, outdated and uninteresting books. Alongside this, communities with avid readers who want to share reading. We connect donors, volunteers and schools to create welcoming libraries with an augmented collection. For companies, we are one of the few places to have a group sponsor a library and spend time refurbishing it. For families and groups of children, we are one of the few places to volunteer in the community. Lastly, we are different in that forever dollar we get, 94 cents go to the program. Volunteers are the crux of what we accomplish.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I think it is very important to listen to others who have more experience and/or know more about a goal that is set. Also, it is very important to let people know that together we create change. We would not have been so impactful (over 1.5 million books and over 300 libraries) if we did not have a great core of volunteers and a seamless system for others to volunteer.
Lastly, you can’t let the little things get in the way of your mission. There are always setbacks- others don’t meet a deadline, books arrive late or any other issue. In the end, these just bumps in the road to the real mission: creating equity in access to literacy opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Address: 10325 Orton Ave
- Phone: 3109201694
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Access Books
- Facebook: Access Books
- Twitter: Access Books
- Yelp: Access Books
- Other: Access Books
Image Credit:
Beatriz Valls
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