Pass the Page: MCHS senior collecting new, gently used books for donation to local libraries

A rising senior is on a mission to spread the word about the importance of public libraries and help improve literacy in the state.

Ada Pinney started a MoCo Reads book drive last year and collected more than 700 books. She’s conducting another county-wide drive this summer.

“I was raised in a very literature-focused household, and my mother was on the library board. Growing up with complete access to books from our public library fundamentally shaped my childhood, and I want every child in Montgomery County to have that same opportunity,” Ada told the Advocate.

She is currently accepting both new and gently used books. Books for all ages are being accepted. 

“I started MoCo Reads to raise awareness to the low literacy rates in Kentucky and to show support for our public library. Public libraries are an amazing resource, and this drive is aimed at reminding everyone of that,” Ada said.

A bin labeled “MoCo Reads” can be found at the side door of the old Post Office next to First Presbyterian Church downtown.

“At the end of the summer I will equally distribute the books between the school libraries and the public library,” Ada told the Advocate.

MCHS Principal Holly Lawson said Ada is an amazing student. 

“This book drive is beneficial for all students of Montgomery County. As an avid reader myself, I love that one of our students sees the importance of reading at all ages. So many kids are choosing technology over books, but projects like Ava’s, giving more access to books, helps puts more books in students’ hands.”

Melissa Smathers-Barnes, director of the Montgomery County Public Library, said everyone at the library is happy to see book donations.

“The books collected last year as part of MoCo Reads provided us with books for check out as well as incentives for program participation. We appreciate the community’s effort in assisting with Miss Pinney’s literacy based project,” Smathers-Barnes said.