Georgia's first lady honored for 'Read Across Georgia'

GAINESVILLE - Georgia's first lady came back home to Hall County Tuesday morning for a children's book donation at North Hall Technology Center.

The books, for kindergarten through third grade students, came from Georgia State University to honor Sandra Deal for her "Read Across Georgia" program, and she selected books for the North Hall Center according to Angela Turk, Communications Director for the College of Education at GSU.

"The College of Education, in celebration of the University's centennial , has decided to focus on literacy education," Turk said. "As part of our dedication to improving the lives and literacy of children, we are honoring Sandra Deal and her work with 'Read Across Georgia' and reading to kids in Georgia and improving literacy in Georgia."

Mrs. Deal, a former teacher, read to children at nearby Wauka Mountain Elementary School before she arrived at the Tech Center.

"I chose to put them at this particular library because I knew it was opening and was brand new and would probably need some new books to go in it," she said.

Mrs. Deal recalled that she began reading as a toddler, that her mother would take her to the library. Television and other electronic media were not available then, and she insisted that her children read instead of watching TV. She said today's parents need to do the same.

"It's important that parents take the time to teach their children to read," she added. "They need to practice at home and parents have to be the responsible persons to turn off the TV, let their children practice reading, and read to them."

Hall Library System Director Adrian Mixson said Mrs. Deal, Georgia State University and the new books were welcome.

"This goes to show you the Governor and first lady's appreciation of reading," Mixson said. "The books will be cataloged and put on the shelves of this library and anybody who wants to borrow them and take them home to read can do it."