The Norway Memorial Library, along with seven other libraries, collected 300 books.
NORWAY – A shipment of paperback books from people in Oxford Hills was sent last week to the 133rd Engineering Battalion of the National Guard serving in Iraq.

The Norway Memorial Library joined with seven other libraries to collect 300 paperbacks in January and February.

The books were personalized with a note from contributing families, to let the soldiers know that people in Oxford Hills are thinking of them.

The other libraries are Harrison’s Caswell Public Library, Oxford’s Freeland Holmes Library, Paris Public Library, West Paris Public Library, the Waterford Library Association, Bolsters Mills Village Library and Hebron Academy’s Hupper Memorial Library.

“We actually collected over 300 books,” said project coordinator Lynn Bivens of the Norway library. “They have asked us to send them in small shipments every two weeks. The first mailing last Wednesday was about 55 books.

“We have contacts for each of the five platoons that are part of the 133rd,” he said.

Bivens said the libraries may take up another collection, depending on how long the troops have to stay.

Bivens thanked all the community members who participated and those who donated money to cover the cost of sending the books.