JAMES CROPPER HELPS LOCAL SCHOOL MODERNISE LIBRARY AND REFRESH ITS BOOK LIST
Kendal-based papermaker James Cropper has donated £3,000 to a Burneside primary school to modernise its library system and help the school buy new books for its pupils.
St Oswald's CE Primary School officially opened the newly refurbished school library last week (Friday 25 March) in front of friends of the school and esteemed guests including Sir James Cropper.
The new library includes a hand painted tree illustration created by local wildlife artist, Phil Allder, The artwork has been created with a range of animals for the children to find and identify.
Following an audit of the existing reading list, the majority of the books were moved on, leaving the need for age appropriate, contemporary books to fill the shelves. James Cropper’s donation also helped the school to build its range of paperbacks covering religion, science, geography, history, and music to name a few.
Mark Cropper, Chairman at James Cropper"Libraries are an integral part of school life and encouraging children to read from a young age is so important, particularly in a world where everything is accessible digitally. We should never forget the value of picking up a book and feeling the paper between our fingers. There is something so special about that! Having been a family run Cumbrian business making paper for over 175 years, it is important that we always play our part in supporting the local community and helping our local school invest in its library facility is a contribution that is close to our heart.”
Having made fine papers for publishing and premium print since 1845, books are an important part of the James Cropper story. The papermaker also recently announced a three-year headline sponsorship of The Wainwright Prize, named after much-loved writer Alfred Wainwright, a Kendal local famous for his Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells. This prestigious prize for writing on nature and conservation now includes a category for children's books.
Gill White, Headteacher at St. Oswald's School said“The library refurbishment demonstrates our school’s passion for reading and the commitment we have to encouraging our pupils to enjoy reading. Now, thanks to the support and help from James Cropper we can offer children a modern, beautiful setting to enjoy stories of all kinds.”
