Tag: media

Old becomes New at Bookstock 2014: Used Media and Book Sale

Posted on by Sweat to Inspire

I was selected for this sponsored post by Hay There Social Media.  All opinions expressed are my own.

As a classroom teacher and parent, I am always looking for new editions to my media collection. Reading is essential for the development of anyone as a life long learner. New books bring new adventures, tails and discoveries into our lives. I became engaged in being a reader at a very young age by my parents. I remember having my mother and grandmother read to be before I could conquer the words. As I got older my parents dedicated “quiet” time each evening for 30 minutes for everyone to read. The Children’s Reading Association recommends that every child be read to or read for 20 minutes a day.  As I have grown to have children of my own, I do everything possible to pass the love and ritual of reading to my three children.

For me it has been hard to keep up with the cost of keeping a current collection of books for my students and children. My children always want new an exciting books to read. My students demand a variety of materials for them to use in class. Libraries are great to borrow books for a short while and try out in class. My children love to visit the library, but hate when it come time to return their new favorite title. Garage sales offer a few choices when looking for a less expensive alternative, but often leave me finding few treasures while expending way to much time looking. Here in Michigan we have an event that helps make others old books and media, become NEW for those that will use them, Bookstock. Not only is it a great way to find books and media to use, it serves as a fundraiser to help promote reading for all.

Bookstock Sale

So just what is Bookstock?

WHAT IS BOOKSTOCK?

Bookstock is an annual, non-profit used book and media sale. It is a highly visible event with thousands of shoppers.  All merchandise sold comes from donations and all workers and organizers are volunteers.  Proceeds from the sale, after deducting expenses, are donated to non-profit organizations. Merchandise remaining after the sale is donated to area non-profit organizations and schools.

WHEN AND WHERE DOES BOOKSTOCK TAKE PLACE?

Bookstock takes place April 27-May 4, 2014 at Laurel Park Place in Livonia, Michigan.

On Sunday, April 27, 8:15 a.m.-11:00 a.m., there is a Pre-Sale for which there is a $20 entrance fee.  After that, admission is free.

Hours are 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. on both Sundays.

Found on the web at http://www.bookstock.info/index.html

WHO COMPRISES BOOKSTOCK AND HOW DID IT BEGIN?

Bookstock is a project of the Detroit Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC).  Because more than 600 volunteers are needed annually, a coalition of twelve organizations, including JCRC, work together to produce Bookstock. Each member organization of the Bookstock coalition maintains its own 501(c)(3) non-profit status and supports literacy and education in Detroit and the metropolitan area.

Bookstock is a reincarnation of the Brandeis University National Women’s Committee, Detroit Chapter, Used Book Sales that were held in Detroit and Southfield annually over a forty-year period.

WHAT BENEFITS DOES BOOKSTOCK GENERATE?

Bookstock benefits the entire community by recycling gently used books and media and then offering them for sale at value prices.  Most books and media range in price from $1-$4, although there are “special selections” (more valuable books) at various price points.

In 12 years, Bookstock has donated just shy of $1,000,000 to non-profit organizations in Detroit and the metro area, including those comprising its coalition.  Additionally, Bookstock donates large quantities of unsold books to other non-profit organizations and schools.  For example, the Salvation Army receives the bulk of the remaining books and media.  Bookstock also underwrites a scholarship at the Wayne State University School of Library Science and supports the Bookstock Fund, a literacy fund that provides micro-grants to enhance literacy and learning in Detroit and the metro area.

WHAT ADDITIONAL SPECIAL EVENTS DOES BOOKSTOCK OFFER?

  • Bookstock’s Monday Madness, Monday, April 28, all day:  Each purchaser receives an envelope with varying prizes.  Prizes are randomly varied in each envelope but a single envelope could include gift cards, coupons and/or a giveaway.
  • Teacher Appreciation Night, Tuesday, April 29, 3:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.: Teachers with valid i.d.’s receive a 50% discount.
  • Bookstock B.E.S.T. Award, Tuesday, April 29, 5:00 p.m.:  The B.E.S.T. Award is given to the winners of a contest open to fourth grade students in the Detroit Public Schools based on submission of a one page essay about their favorite books. Five students, their teachers, and their schools all receive monetary awards.
  • Booksbuster Sale, Wednesday, April 30 and Thursday, May 1, 3:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.: For every three items purchased, a fourth one may be gotten for free (it must be the least expensive of the four chosen).
  • Half-Price Sale, Sunday, May 4, all day:  All books and media are half price.
  • Check out their Facebook page 

Hope you have the time to add to your collection and make the old become new again!

Where have you gone Heathcliff Huxtable?

Posted on by Sweat to Inspire

As I scan the sit-com options for today’s youth, a show with positive educational role models is lacking. Think back through my TV viewing life, the last “popular” show that really showed positive educational values has “The Cosby Show”. The show featured two educated parents struggling to raise their 5 children. Many of the episodes focused on family values and education. Sadly, “The Cosby Show” has been in re-runs since the spring of 1992. Where are our youth to find positive role models in today’s media?

For starters, many have pointed out that today, many kids don’t watch traditional “network” television. If they do, shows like Two and Half-Men, Big-Bang Theory and Modern Family dominate the sit-com genre. Values and education are a bit lacking in all of them. Dramas seem to be more about crime and punishment these days that education. Even the reality shows are devoid of values in fact the often offer quick fixes to life’s problems than promoting a hard-working lifestyle.

Many boys today look to sports for role models. 20 years ago players seemed to be loyal to teams and worked hard to succeed. Now we have superstars who want to team up so they can get an easy run to the finals instead of being loyal to their fans. Or we have a league commissioner who feels that teams need to put on a great show instead of valuing the health of their players. Sports seem to focus on the money that players and owners make instead of how to be good citizens. Sure, our athletes do have foundations and do work to improve society but it is not the focus of sports coverage.

Today’s youths seem to consume most of their media on-demand. You-tube is very popular as well as Netflix. Who is guiding them to shows that will have positive impact? No one, most children watch TV by themselves and seek entertainment that excites them. Educationally valuable shows and clips are all over You-tube and Netflix but so are clips and show that model poor behavior. The bad seems to have more draw to our youth when they are left to their own choices and not exposed to educational programing.

I personally find it ironic that almost all programing for our preschool children has positive educational value. Check out shows like, Barney, Clifford, Curious George or WonderPets. But once our children become school aged, their options dwindle down to shows with zero value for education or character development.

Has the loss of Heathcliff Huxtable affected our youth? Well, I would say our youth need to see good models and champions of strong values, education and hard work. “The Cosby Show” provided those models that seem to be missing in today’s society. I hope media programmers find the errors in their ways and provide us with another strong role model soon. Our youth really need more than politicians words saying “family values and education are what we stand for!” When we are absent of a true highly visible role model in American Society today.