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<p><strong>From staff reports</strong></p>
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<p>The Beaufort County School District is partnering with The United Way of the Lowcountry, The Public Library Foundation of Beaufort County and The Pat Conroy Literary Center to provide nearly 7,000 free books to children this summer as part of a program called Book Drop Blitz.</p>
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<p>This program was designed to get books into the hands of Lowcountry children to encourage them to read during the summer.</p>
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<p>“Becoming a stronger reader is achieved through practice, just like becoming better at sports or an instrument,” Director of Literacy for Beaufort County School District Melissa Murray said in a release. “Students need to read during the summer, so we are providing high interest books that are connected to our local history and culture.”</p>
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<p>Friends, siblings, and neighbors are encouraged to stop by any of the 19 locations to obtain a book that they can read, discuss, and enjoy together. Murray said, “To me, that is the readerly life we want for all our students.”</p>
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<p>Through August 14, free books including picture books and chapter books will be available for students at Beaufort County lending libraries, and public libraries, throughout Beaufort County. Each Monday morning, books will be dropped off at each of the sites listed and will be available until they run out. There will also be enrichment activities, book readings, and more to accompany each book.</p>
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<p>"Fight the summer slump by picking up a book to read,” USC Beaufort Associate Professor of Literacy and United Way of the Lowcountry’s education impact chairperson Renarta Tompkins said. "You may not be able to leave the house, but your mind can travel anywhere with a book."<br><br></p>
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