Book worms rejoice! Carpe Librum, a new pop-up bookstore, is coming to Block 37 this summer. Thousands of gently used books, CDS, and DVDs all priced at $1- $4 will be available in the pedway level of Block 37 at 108 N. State Street starting May 30. Proceeds will provide educational programing in Chicago Public Schools through non-profit, Turning the Page.
Turning the Page is a 501 (c)3 education non-profit, engaging parents to be more active and effective participants in their children’s education. TTP is currently partnered with 6 public schools in Chicago’s west side neighborhood of North Lawndale. TTP’s programming can be divided into three main categories: Community Nights, Parent Leadership Initiatives, and Summer Learning Trips.
- Community Nights consist of educational parent workshops, literacy-based child mentoring activities, book giveaways for families’ home libraries, and a free, healthy family dinner.
- Parent leadership initiatives help parents identify their strengths, build social capital within their school communities, and take action. During conferences, parents are able to learn from one another and collaborate on ideas to improve their schools and serve their neighborhoods.
- Summer Learning trips are hosted by TTP to sustain learning during the summer months. TTP partners with local museums and other local institutions to host a series of innovative field trips to connect families with their communities’ resources.
“[Community Nights] provide information and resources to parents and families on how parents can get more involved in their children’s academic lives by building home libraries, reading to children, developing strong parent-teacher relationships, and learning about science and math.” — President & CEO, Jason King
“We filled an important need in the system, which has so many challenges in engaging parents effectively. We provide something that the system is not and fill a gap in ensuring that parents can be more active in their children’s lives, both at home and at school. And as students get older, we enable parents to help students make decisions around what classes the students should take, to start thinking about higher education.” — President & CEO, Jason King, speaking to the impact of TTP in public school system
To raise funds for its programs, TTP collects used books from our community and opens pop –up used bookstores, called Carpe Librum, by activating vacant retail space. All books are donated through local book drives in area businesses, apartment buildings, and universities, or donated by individuals. Get first pick at the Carpe Librum Pop-Up Grand Opening on May 30 from 8:00am to 6:00pm. For more information on Turning the Page visit: http://turningthepage.org.