State senator and wife fight against illiteracy

Laurie Porter knows the power books have on a child's life. She spent 17 years as an elementary school librarian before dedicating herself wholeheartedly to fighting illiteracy across the state.

She has joined her husband State Sen. Jon Porter to kick off the "Spread the Word Kids to Kids" book collection program. The couple introduced their new program at Sunrise Acres Elementary School Feb. 22.

The goal of the program is to collect both new and gently used books and give them to children in at-risk schools. Children at schools across the county are encouraged to donate books they have outgrown. Students at Lummis Elementary have already started to collect books.

The Porters have also drummed up support from the business community where books have been donated by Barnes & Noble, Scholastic Books, Follett Library Resources and others.

The program was started at Sunrise Acres with an opening collection of 6,000 books. The Reading Improvement Program (RIP) teacher was recruited to run the school's new book shop, consisting of roll out book cases and a book-filled room that opens into the school's cafeteria.

Each child at the kickoff was invited to choose five books to take home. Laurie Porter explained to the wide-eyed youngsters that this is not a library -- these books are theirs to keep forever. She added that if they got tired of one of their books, they could bring it back and trade it for another.

"We believe children need a library at home," Jon Porter explained. "The ownership of a book instills pride and it provides them with the ability to read it over and over."

He said after the program is running smoothly at Sunrise Acres, other schools will be added. C.P. Squires Elementary School is next on the list according to Stanley Fuke, the school district library administrator who will be directing the program.

To inspire wide-spread support the Porters invited mayors from Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson and Boulder City to attend the kick-off event.

North Las Vegas Mayor Mike Montandon said he will do all he can to encourage schools and businesses in his city to jump on the bandwagon.

"And you can count me in for a couple hundred books," he volunteered.

Junior journalists were given the same respect as the professionals at the program's kickoff press conference. Sunrise Acres fifth-grade cub reporters, Amanda Phillips and Marbeth Ayala, came ready with a camera, a micro-tape-recorder and student press passes. Jon Porter knelt down to the girl's level and gave the duo an exclusive interview just before the program began.

Sunrise journalism advisor R. L. McDonald said the students in his after-school program try to cover all the school's major events.

Ayala said it was exciting to interview a state senator, especially surrounded by television cameras.

Books appropriate for pre-kindergarten through third-grade are needed for the program. For donation directions or more information call Eileen Horn from the Clark County Library Services Division at 799-8451.