Until Friday, Jan. 31, two first-year York University students will live, eat and sleep in Scott Library to raise funds and awareness for world literacy.
Frederick Ampofo and Anthony Spezzano have been camping out in the library since Jan. 24 as part of the annual Live-In for Literacy campaign. By the end, they will have stayed in the library for seven consecutive days in support of the award-winning non-profit organization Room to Read.
Ampofo and Spezzana, through the DREAM@YorkU Club, have their tent set up near the front entrance of Scott Library, where they will live for the entirety of the week collecting donations, except to go to class and to shower. What they find really exciting this year is that the staff at Scott Library have decided to match collected donations for the event.
While living at the library, the students will engage with library patrons, University and community members and hold daily activities, such as poster signing, and be part of a live webcasting of the live-in.
DREAM@YorkU Club merchandise will also be available for sale with all proceeds going towards funding various educational programs, such as school and library building in Asia and Africa.
The DREAM@YorkU club is part of the Live-In for Literacy club originally started at Queen’s University in 2005. It is now a nationwide event with campaigns at Ottawa University, Laurentian University and Queen’s University.
All proceeds from Live-In for Literacy support Room to Read and their programs in school and library construction, girls’ education, local language publishing, teacher training and curriculum development in developing areas of Asia and Africa. Those wishing to donate are asked to visit the campsite during the event.