TEACHERS FROM Mennies, Rossi, and Barse Elementary Schools received a donation of over 1,300 books from the South Jersey nonprofit BookSmiles, based in Cherry Hill. BookSmiles is dedicated to irrigating “book deserts” in the tri-state area to promote early childhood literacy and a lifelong love of reading. Larry Abrams, a high school teacher from the area, started the nonprofit and has been looking for a foothold in Vineland for years to provide our students with much-needed books.
Rossi Elementary School special education teacher Jeff Martine, who teaches students with learning disabilities and communication impairments, organized the project.

NEW JERSEY WRITERS SOCIETY will meet 4-5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 17 at the Vineland Public Library. The program will be held in the Community Event Room, located on the first floor of the library. To register for this free program, call the library’s adult services department at 794-4244 ext. 4243. Walk-ins are also welcome.

VINELAND POLICE ATHLETIC League’s Girls in Action Read-A-Thon is set for 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, March 19 at the the PAL building, 20 S. 6th St. Visit and enjoy a good book along with some refreshments. For more information call head mentor Wanda Cortes at 405-7855.

THE MONTHLY BOOK Club at the Vineland Public Library will meet 2-3 p.m. Wednesday, March 23 in the Community Event Room. Book discussion is We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter. For help in obtaining a copy of this book and to register, stop in or call 794-4244, ext. 4243. Be sure to mention the book for the book club. The Vineland Public Library is located at 1058 E. Landis Ave.

DURING MARCH the Vineland Public Library, 1058 E. Landis Ave., is featuring a display titled COVID crafts created by Adrienne Possenti. The display may be viewed during regular library hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday; and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday. Call 794-4244.