Laurence Copel grew up on books: Russian fairytales, mythology, The Pied Piper, Kipling’s Just So stories, a beloved French childrens’ series called Tales and Legends. These stories exposed her to ideas from all over the world. They gave her the chance to imagine life far away from her hometown, in France. They instilled in her a reverence for the art of storytelling, a sense of awe and wonder, and a lifelong passion for bringing books to those who might not otherwise have access to them.
“Books allow you to have a higher perspective,” insists Copel, who every day sees them fostering much-needed individuality without selfishness. “And there’s nothing like a picture book,” she says. “Children’s books are such works of art.”
For years, Copel, today a seasoned librarian, worked in outreach for the New York Public Library system, going into prisons and other communities of people who weren’t making it in to the library. So when she moved to New Orleans in 2010, she brought her work with her, founding the wonderful Jude’s Grove Free Library, which offers free books and one-on-one reading time with volunteers. “I go out to the people who have not been reached by the library system,” explains Copel.
[Photo via NOLA.com]
In fact, Copel is so passionate about bringing books and stories to young people that kids call her the “Book Lady.” It’s not at all uncommon to find her driving around NOLA’s Lower 9th Ward in her colorful boommobile, giving out second-hand and donated books. Kids flock around; they’ve come to know what to expect. Copel doesn’t shy away from anyone; she loves to approach thirteen-year-old boys who think reading is for babies, who weren’t read to as children, who expect to have had their first brush with the system by age fourteen. She’ll gently grill a kid who wants to take a copy of The Count of Monte Cristo just because it looks big and impressive; if they can’t read a few sentences in front of Copel, then they have to put it back and pick something that’s really at their reading level.
What kinds of titles go over well with the kids? “They want books about African American history, of course! They want books about themselves,” explains Copel, who has trouble getting enough titles by Black authors and about Black history. “Books that represent them in positive lights are few and far between,” she says. “Those young people’s knowledge of self is being eradicated on a daily basis by racism, brutality, poverty, and it’s really hard.”
Kids often want to know if they have to give the books back, when they’re done. Nope, says Copel. Just pass it on to a friend. That’s the deal – that’s how the joy of reading circulates.
Copel originally set out distributing books via her big, sturdy, front-loading tricycle. There’s only so many miles a person can put in per week, by tricycle, so it was a real windfall when a friend of Copel’s gifted her a Bookmobile for making her rounds in style. Last year, Copel raised money via ioby to spruce up the van, and the Bookmobile was born. Her first campaign easily hit its target of over $4,000, and no wonder. Copel’s enthusiasm is truly contagious.
[Photo via NOLA.com]
Books are cause for CELEBRATION!
This spring, Copel launched her second campaign, for a book parade on Saturday, May 7th in NOLA’s Lower 9th Ward. The campaign fully funded with more than a week to spare! The festivities will feature two book mobiles leading the parade, which will start off at a local community center, then move on to hit a local donut shop, a public park, and finally an elementary school that houses a branch of the public library. Expect delicious food and joyful music, from African drumming to a local school marching band to a professional brass band. Copel has worked with the brass band many times before, and promises that they’ll play all their crowd favorites. She’s already humming “Down by the Riverside,” in happy anticipation.
[Photo via NOLA.com]
Three things you can do to help
- When’s the last time you scoured your bookshelf, and donated what you don’t need? Now’s as good a time as any! Copel can always use more books – especially books by African American authors, and books on African American history. She’s also always on the lookout for extra copies of classics like The Wizard of Oz, as well as books about sports stars and musicians. And graphic novels! To donate, email Copel at: reindecoeur@hotmail.com.
- You can donate money. Even a small bit helps. Copel’s ioby campaign is now fully funded and closed, but you can always visit her website and donate there.
- Join in the parade! Visit the Jude’s Grove Free Library website for more info.
Feeling inspired? Want to take action in YOUR neighborhood? If you have awesome ideas about how to make your town greener, safer, and more fun, let us help! Tell us your awesome idea right here. We’d love to help you get started today.
Pssst…. In OTHER ioby news: Are you a believer in the healing power of dance and creative movement? This boundary-breaking choreographer is dancing the immigrant experience in Washington Heights, NYC, and teaching kids in immigrant populations to do the same. Find out why we admire her work so much.