BATH

Books on the Bus — a program that provides reading material for students riding school buses — has received a $5,500 grant from The Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation. The funds will go to expand the Books on the Bus program to additional buses servicing Regional School Unit 1, West Bath, and Georgetown schools.

Books on the Bus uses specially designed seat covers that holds age appropriate books in elementary school buses. The program aims to provide kids ages 5-9 with convenient access to books while improving bus behavior.

Books on the Bus has been a collaboration between Books on the Bus Coordinator, Sheryl Ritchie; the Patten Free Library; and the Bath Bus Service. Through grants, volunteers, and donated books, the program has outfitted nine buses with the specialized seat covers, servicing approximately 400 children.

The King Foundation grant will allow the program to expand to service an additional 350-400 children.

All books used in the program are donated. Kids are encouraged to take books home to finish reading, keep, or pass along. As the books get too worn, or find a new home, they are restocked.

Book donations are accepted at the Children’s Room of the Patten Free Library or Jason Ritchie, State Farm Insurance in Bath.

For more information about Books on the Bus, contact Sheryl Ritchie at shanson712@yahoo.com.

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