Finnian Thompson, 3, of Slippery Rock recently visited the community library with his mother Emily Thompson where he discovered the library's new collection of large print books.

SLIPPERY ROCK — Finnian Thompson, 3, is considered an “emergent reader,” and thanks to a yard sale and a dedicated library staff, he will have some extra help as he learns to read.

The Slippery Rock Community Library recently purchased a collection of 50 large-print books to help new and struggling readers learn.

Money for the purchase was raised through a community yard sale held in August.

The library raised about $1,250 by selling items donated from board members, friends of the library, and members of the community.The effort to purchase the books originated with Tiffany Frampton, youth services coordinator for the library, who spearheaded the fundraising project. Frampton decided to take up the project after reading a study about children struggling to read.According to the latest results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress testing, almost two-thirds of fourth- and eighth-grade students are reading at a basic or below basic level.“If you struggle with reading, you are going to struggle with every other subject,” Frampton said.Library director Karen Pierce said the large-print books allow readers to better track words and sentences, providing better continuity as they read.“Spacing allows continuity in reading,” explained Frampton. “It's important for them to track words, so they cannot be interrupted in the middle of a sentence and return to it, so they can pick up a thought.”Diane Hyatt, vice president of the library's board of trustees, praised the efforts of Pierce and her staff for identifying a community need and raising the funds to provide a solution.“The goal of the library is to meet the community's needs as we find them,” said Hyatt. “We are grateful for the support of the community. The community participates in our programs and helps us keep it going. It's a cooperative effort.”“I am excited to bring this opportunity to the community that can be utilized by all ages and abilities,” Pierce added.The library will reveal the new collection to the public between noon and 6 p.m. Oct. 22 and will give away a new large-print book every hour.Frampton is passionate about helping struggling readers.“I believe there is a reader in everyone,” she said. “People who don't like to read haven't found their niche yet, and if I can help one person to love to read, my job is done.”However Pierce chimed in and said jokingly, “Your job really has just begun.”

Finnian Thompson, 3, of Slippery Rock recently visited the community library with his mother Emily Thompson where he discovered the library's new collection of large print books.