Through the generosity of a library in Pennsylvania, Feleti Barstow Public Library was recently the recipient of 50 brand new children’s books.

According to territorial librarian Cheryl Morales Polataivao, the books are the type children love: board books (thick pages for small hands and fingers) ‘easy readers’ for the youngest students, as well as more serious books for children from Kindergarten age (5 yrs) to fourth grade level (9 yrs).

In a letter sent over the holidays from the Bureau of Library Development in Pennsylvania, the staff at the Office of Commonwealth Libraries stated, “We would like to wish the children of American Samoa a happy holiday season. We are aware that, as a result of the recent disaster, many families lost many of their possessions.”

The letter went on to say that— in place of the customary gift exchange between staff members— they decided to share a gift with the children of American Samoa.

Following that decision, two boxes of new children’s books were wrapped, marked for age appropriateness, and sent to Feleti Barstow Public Library, where our Territorial Librarian elected to distribute them to the community.

“Feleti Barstow Library has a beautiful children’s library, stocked with a wide selection of books” said Morales Polataivao, and upon receiving the donation, she felt that, rather than keeping the books there, the best way to use the donation would be to turn around and give the new books to an elementary school library in one of the villages which was affected by the tsunami.

Vatia village, in the eastern district of Tutuila, was one of those hard hit villages following the disaster of late September. Many families there lost their homes, and with them their belongings and schools supplies. On Friday, January 22, FBCL staff members Abe King and Peti Herdrich visited Mt. Alava Elementary School in Vatia, where the brand new books were given to the children in a small but meaningful ceremony.

Mt. Alava’s principal, Meritiana Falealii Savea said of the donation, “This is such a wonderful gift for the children. Our school’s facilities weren’t really damaged by the disaster, but our students were truly affected by its aftermath. It took me quite a while to try and gather these children together and to hold fun activities ... to boost their morale ... and I thank God they came through slowly. These children are isolated here ... the majority of students here come from low-income families. I was very excited when Mr. King called and said they were bringing this donation over for these students.”

She noted, “I was thrilled because it is a major need for our students and it is also a major task for our staff here ... to encourage students to READ.”

The principal gathered the students in the school’s computer lab for the presentation. As students were called up to receive the books from King, pictures were taken to make this moment a memorable one. Said Savea, “Every student from K-5 to level 4 received a wrapped book to take home and a group picture was taken outside to end this special event.”

Principal Savea went on to say, “On behalf of the Department of Education, the Administration, Staff and especially the students of Mt. Alava Elementary School, I would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude and FA’AFETAI TELE LAVA to the Feleti Barstow Public Library Staff and those who selected our school to receive this wonderful donation. May God Bless you all!