The Southeast READS project supports the guiding philosophy of SEMCOL (Southeast Minneapolis Council on Learning) in its efforts to establish a culture of learning in homes and in the community. Southeast READS projects have focused on encouraging reading in families by collecting and distributing hundreds of books to children in the schools and community centers. In recent years, getting books to children has had greater urgency because of the limited hours of the Southeast Library and the discontinuation of bookmobile services to the neighborhoods. Each year, SEMCOL collects new and gently used children's books with the help of community partners including University Baptist Church, University Lutheran Church of Hope, Pease Academy, Pi Beta Psi Sorority and participants in the Restorative Justice program. The hundreds of books collected are distributed to after-school and summer programs held at Pratt Community School and Van Cleve Park. If you are interested in learning more about Southeast READS please contact a SEMCOL board member.