Last Updated August 25, 1999; comments to marshamiller@indstate.edu

What books on women written for young girls does your public library have? What books on women written for young girls does your elementary school library have?

The Action for Girls and Women Study Group of the Muncie branch wanted to ensure all 16 elementary schools in the Muncie system had books illustrating strong female characters and/or present young women in non-traditional roles.

Rebecca Pierce, study group chair, applied for and received a $2000 grant from The community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. to fund the purchase of suitable books (see box).

First, the list of books was complied and then a survey listing these books was sent to the librarians at each of the 16 schools. Librarians were requested to complete the form as to whether or not their library currently had each book, if they did not want the book, or to rank the book as to desirability for addition to their library. Study group members collected and compiled the forms, then developed a list of the books to order.

Bookplates were developed and produced identifying both AAUW and the Community Foundation for their contributions to this project. One was put in each book. Members of the study group presented the books to the librarian and a group of students at each school. Twenty-five bookmarks were included to be given to the first 25 students checking out any of the books.

"The students, female and male alike, were very interested in the books and anxious to be able to check them out," relates Rebecca. Students checking out the books are asked to complete a survey which, along with information from the librarians, will be collected and studied to evaluate the effectiveness of this program.

Study group members participating with Rebecca were Cheryll Adams, Mary Kite, Sandra Worthen, Majma Javed, Peggy Rice, Ruth Hochstetler, and Idamae Waid.

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