LEER
(Literacy En Española Region)
Reading helps us grow wide branches and deep
roots. LEER (leh-EHR, to read), a Children’s Literacy Program for the Española Valley,
improves children’s reading proficiency through access to books and helpers, vetted and trained caring adults (Reading Buddies) who read one-on-one with elementary students.
Why Do Our Students Need LEER?
The need in our community is great. We know from national research that a student who cannot read on grade level by 3rd grade is four times less likely to graduate on time (American Education Research Association). Data from Española Public Schools for the 2023-2024 school year shows that 75 percent of grade 3-6 students were not proficient in Language Arts, and 80 percent of students in grades K-6 were below proficiency in reading at the beginning of the school year.
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LEER’s goal is to instill a love of reading and to improve the overall reading proficiency of the children it serves by 10 percent annually.
Summer Impact Report
This summer, we made in impact on the lives of the students in our community. Read more to find out how or click here to download our printable Summer Impact Report.
Children's Library Community Hours
The Enchanted Forest of Reading Children's Library is open to the community:
Tuesdays from 3:00 - 7:00pm
2nd Saturdays from 10:00am - 1:00pm
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Toddler Story Time
Thursday mornings 10:00 - 10:30am
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Preschool Story Time
Wednesday mornings 9:30 - 10:00am
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If you have a group that would like to have access to the Enchanted Forest of Reading, please reach out to us with the date and time we can provide the library for.
How Can You Help?
There are two key factors to improve reading abilities: access to books and reading help and support. Low-income households have nearly half the number of books in the home as higher income households. Income levels also differentiate book borrowing habits, with more affluent families more likely to borrow books from their local library (Scholastic). The inviting and fun-leveled Children’s Library in Kidspace gives access to books to children. Our partnership with the public library and Little Free Library initiative spreads community-wide access.
LEER Children's Library has cultivated an inviting and fun, leveled library that gives access to books to children.
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Donate your gently used books by dropping them off or mailing them to McCurdy Ministries, 362A S. McCurdy Rd., Española.
Donate Books
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer in the Library
Library Helper
If you love books, you are perfect for this job.
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Help us level and sort every book that we receive.
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Be a Library Volunteer during Community Library hours (Tuesdays 3:00 - 7:00pm and 1st Saturdays 10:00am - 1:00pm)
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Carpenters: Build Little Free Libraries
Access to books is essential to increasing literacy. Little Free Libraries are great ways to provide access to books throughout the community. These kiosk style miniature libraries allow sharing of books. Blueprints are provided but we welcome creativity. This is a great group activity for scouts or UMM.
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Carpenters: Build Library Shelves and Bookcases
As the new library comes to life, you can use your skill to rework and repurpose existing shelving as well as build new bookshelves.​
Be a Reading Buddy
A caring, vetted, and trained adult provides a supportive environment for a child to improve their reading skills, build confidence, and foster a love for reading, especially if they are struggling or lack motivation to read on their own. Someone who believes in you helps you believe in yourself.
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Reading Buddies are currently needed during the school day mornings (T, W, Th) for one hour to read with 2nd graders at JHR Elementary. You will build relationships and read with 2 children for twenty minutes each on a weekly basis.
Coming soon, we will begin Afterschool Reading Buddies, and of course you're needed every summer to read during the camp day.
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Help children read books at their level while fostering a love for reading. Books and materials are provided.
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Requirements for Reading Volunteers:
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A background check is required for all volunteers 18+.
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High school volunteers are welcome to volunteer on their own if they are 15+ or have completed their freshman year.
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Volunteers younger than 15 must volunteer with a parent/guardian.
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Volunteers must complete a one-time online training before their first volunteer session.
LEER Leader
Meet the Director of the LEER program, Kercida McClain
