Community Group Distributes Thousands of Free Books to Arlington Youth
By Office of Communication
Posted on May 22, 2017, May 22, 2017
 Free Books to Arlington Youth

Community Advocating for Prosperity and Opportunity, known as CAPO, has distributed more than 15,000 books for free to the Arlington community so far this year. The group's sixth annual Book Carnival event was held on May 6 at Arlington ISD's Thornton Elementary.

For students to succeed when they go back to school in the fall, they need to make reading part of their summer plans. That's where the annual CAPO Book Carnival comes in.

The sixth annual event was held on May 6 at Arlington ISD's Thornton Elementary. CAPO, or Community Advocating for Prosperity and Opportunity, matched families in the 76010 and 76014 ZIP codes in East Arlington with thousands of free books for their elementary school-age children. Each child received a plastic bag when they walked in the door, with instructions to fill it up with their favorite titles.

"Kids won't read unless they have something to read," said David Jackson, Community Librarian. "Without our carnival, many East Arlington kids would not have their own books at home. CAPO supports and encourages reading by providing kids something to read, they pick themselves."

The Arlington Public Library also participated in the book fair, providing information about the annual Summer Reading Club and free library cards.

CAPO has distributed more than 15,000 free books to the community so far this year, including during the East Branch Library's Courtyard Celebration on May 13.

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