FARMINGTON — While Literacy Volunteers of Franklin and Somerset Counties has shortened the hours for Free Book Saturdays during the winter, the organization is extremely busy making sure books get into the hands of readers of all ages.

Jean Gilbert of Jay signs in Saturday morning, Dec. 28, at Free Book Saturdays held at the Literacy Volunteers of Franklin and Somerset Counties at their facility in the Ingalls Building at 144 High Street in Farmington. Her husband, Paul Gilbert is also seen. Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser

The new hours for the Free Book Saturdays, held the last Saturday of the month located in the Arthur D. Ingalls Building, 144 High Street in Farmington are 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. “Things are slower in the winter,” Rita Cantor, volunteer coordinator said Saturday morning, Dec. 28. “It is more challenging setting up in the snow. People don’t get going as early.”

Literacy Volunteers moved into the Ingalls Building in September of 2023, held the first Free Book Saturday during Chester Greenwood Day that December. Board Chair Maggie Davis said many people came during Chester Greenwood Day this year with several still looking through books at closing time.

“Sara Beech is serving as interim executive director,” Davis said. Barbara Averill had held the position previously, she noted.

Rita Cantor, volunteer coordinator at left and Maggie Davis, board chair discuss programs offered by Literacy Volunteers of Franklin and Somerset Counties on Saturday morning, Dec. 8, during Free Book Saturdays held at 144 High Street in Farmington. Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser

The mission of Literacy Volunteers is two-pronged, Davis stated. The first is community outreach and communication, part of what Free Book Saturdays addresses, she noted. The second is expanding the organization’s reach, expanding its reach to different libraries to make it easier for kids to get books, she said.

“We are reaching more kids,” Cantor stated. “We have provided more than a couple thousand books through backpack programs, new school packs.”

Books have been taken to area nursing homes, too, Cantor said. “Work First [Inc.] has been a tremendous help delivering books,” she added. “There are 14 remote locations so kids have more access to books. We gave out 2,000 – 3,000 adult books this year too.”

Literacy Volunteers, as part of the first prong of its mission also offers tutoring in the whole realm of literacy, Davis said. “Reading, writing, plus we have added digital literacy,” she noted. “With the pandemic and needing to go to Zoom we are doing so much more online. A lot of hybrid classes – a mix of people meeting online and in person. We have more than 40 participants right now.”

Collaboration with other organizations, including among others Community Concepts’ Head Start program, Franklin County Children’s Task Force, Franklin County Recovery Center, is happening, Davis indicated. “Those three are really important collaborators,” she said.

For years the mainstay was individual tutoring, Davis noted. “We are trying to expand the way we offer tutoring to people so the normal every day challenges for adults don’t become impediments,” she stressed. “We are in an interim with no formal executive director. It gives us an opportunity to assess and strategically plan for the future.”

The popular book sales Literacy Volunteers held prior to the pandemic have not been held, Davis said. Books are donated by community members, libraries and others, she stated.

Free Book Saturdays are one way to get books to readers of all ages. Books are also available at Literacy Volunteers during Literacy Cafe’ every Thursday, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. and at events upon request.

For more information about Literacy Volunteers or free book opportunities, call or text 207-500-3131.