Allyn Scott library program grows with donation

Yuba City 12-year-old Molly Enderton has read every book on her bedroom shelf, but it may take her a while to speed through the hundreds of recently donated books at the Allyn Scott Youth and Community Center in Marysville.

Molly, a young writer and student at Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts, is already taking advantage of the contributions. She was reading "The Bridge to Terabithia," a donated book, at a table in the youth center's library section on Tuesday.

The library is a welcome addition to the community center, Molly said.

"I love it," she said. "I think it's a great opportunity for kids."

William Jessup University, a four-year private Christian liberal arts university in Sacramento, donated more than 330 books to the community center's new library in January. From science fiction novels to encyclopedias, youths now have more than twice the number of books to choose from.

The library project was pioneered by Martha Duran, the site manager and coordinator, and the Marysville Lions Club.

Duran said she came up with the idea to build a library when she started working at the center in 2010.

Since then, she has transformed a section of the after-school site into a fairly extensive collection of books. Four different study stations, equipped with couches and tables, are spread around the room to provide a quiet place to read.

"I want it to be a full-service youth center," she said.

Although Duran admits that reading isn't as popular with young people as it used to be, she said the kids at the center were excited to see the large donation.

In fact, some books haven't stayed on the shelf for more than two weeks.

Youths are allowed to borrow the books, and have already taken about half a dozen or so, she said.

Eventually, Duran said she would like to start a book club to encourage the kids to read.

CONTACT Griffin Rogers at grogers@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4783. Find him on Facebook at /ADgriffinrogers or on Twitter at @ADgriffinrogers.