In 2014, Patty Burlingame was the librarian at Valley View elementary. During the Memorial Day observation, she realized that military books was an area that was lacking for the students; she made it a mission to remedy this.

April 2015, she began collecting money from local military groups including American Legion Post #55, Veterans of Foreign War and private donors. In June 2015, a private donation to start Lori Plato’s special library fund began and books were ordered in November; May 2016 the books were ready for the eager students. The novels range from non-fiction to fiction, covering each branch of the military.

Books are selected for common core reading. Currently, there are approximately 500 books throughout the school district ranging from donated to purchased books. This dream would not become reality without the help of donors like VFW, American Legion, John Tucker, Teresa and Don Solum and Jacqueline and Terry Spence.

If you are interested in helping expand the local school libraries in educational and learning novels, please contact Patty Burlingame, a local resident at 858-837-1413.