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West Philly Grade School Gets Library For First Time In Decade

By Cherri Gregg

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The West Philadelphia Alliance for Children opened up its 13th library in Philadelphia public schools.

It's been a decade since the Hamilton Elementary School at 57th and Spruce Streets had a library, but now the Kindergarten through 8th grade school is fully stocked.

"Having a library in a school of particularly important for kids who may fall behind in their reading," says WePAC executive director David Brown.

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WePAC executive director David Brown reading to the first class in the newly opened library. (Credit: WePAC)

Brown says the new library at Hamilton means 500 children will have access to books once a week thanks to a volunteer librarian. He says the non-profit helps nearly 6,500 kids in total across 12 additional libraries, but so many more need help:

"We have a waiting list of more than 20 schools and more than 200 that can use this same kind of resource."

Brown says they accept used children's books, volunteers and, of course, donations.

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