Rick Larsen to attend annual MLK read-in Jan. 16

Local children are invited to gather at Village Books in Bellingham to hear stories from throughout the world about tolerance, the civil rights movement and diversity in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Sponsored by Western Washington University's Center for Service-Learning, Village Books and Western's Associated Students Bookstore, the annual read-in and book drive will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16.

Representative Rick Larsen once again will be attending this annual celebration.

Western student volunteers will celebrate King's dream of equality and hope by engaging with children through literature, games and dialogue along these themes. Community members are encouraged to bring children ages 3 to 8 to Village Books from 10:30 to 2. Parents are welcome to participate.

Village Books and Western's AS Bookstore will offer books for purchase to be donated to local elementary school libraries, spreading the positive impact from this event throughout the county. Look for displays and drop boxes at Village Books and the Western AS Bookstore from Jan. 3 to 20.

For more information, call (360) 650-7520 or visit http://www.wwu.edu/csl.