DALLAS (January 1, 2007)—Half Price Books, one of the nation's largest new and used bookstore chains and a dedicated supporter of national literacy projects and environmental issues, launched the ninth Annual Half Pint Library Book Drive on January 1, which will benefit more than 70 Half Pint Libraries established in hospitals, clinics, and community centers across the nation. This three-month book drive, which lasts until March 31, is the city's most important book drive for children and provides reading materials for children who must endure long and sometimes uncomfortable hospital stays.

Each year, the program relies on the donations of community members for books, as patients are encouraged to take the books home after their hospital stay. The Half Pint Libraries provide an escape from the challenges faced by pediatric patients, while helping to boost literacy skills while children are out of school. Additionally, the books at each facility are placed in bright red carts donated by Half Price Books so that they can be brought to children who may have limited mobility. In many cases, children and their siblings are getting their first take-home book through the Half Pint Library program, and books are used in some facilities for speech therapy and as a distraction method by hospital staff during medical procedures. All types of children books are needed-including Spanish language books.

"The kids and the community really connect with this project, and understand the difference their donation makes," said Kathy Doyle Thomas, executive vice president of Half Price Books.

The program has raised nearly two million books, through donations from families, schools and communities. There are Half Pint Libraries in major cities across the nation, with one or more hospital beneficiaries in those cities that are in need of books. The company hopes to extend the joy of reading to even more patients, by surpassing last year's book donations. If you would like more information, please visit: www.halfpricebooks.com/half_pint_library.asp.