May 28, 2009 - Developing a love for reading among elementary school students can sometimes be a difficult task. On Thursday, May 21, California State University, Bakersfield will help students at Longfellow Elementary School understand the importance of reading through a reading mentor program. The Rowdy Readers Target Longfellow program provides guest readers to Longfellow for a day and new books for the school's library.

Funding for the project comes from a $2,500 grant from local Target stores to purchase age-appropriate books for the school's library. The 106 books will be donated after staff from CSUB's School of Education read a few selections to students. While the new books are a welcome addition to the school, it is not just the Longfellow students who benefit.

"This is a great opportunity for CSUB staff to see our graduates at work as teachers. At the same time, we are giving the students something they need during these difficult economic times," explained Curt Guaglianone, CSUB assistant to the provost.

CSUB will be reading to students at the school beginning at 1:30 p.m. Longfellow Elementary School is located at 1900 Stockton Street in Bakersfield.