Twenty books given to SMU De La Salle Language Institute through ‘World Book Night’

As a part of “World Book Night U.S.” on April 23, Nancy Wiltgen, a 1975 alumna and senior development director at Saint Mary’s, gave 20 copies of “Playing for Pizza” by John Grisham to students at SMU’s De La Salle Language Institute and to other members of the SMU community.

Wiltgen was just one of 25,000 “book givers” who gave away a half-million free books across America on April 23. Wiltgen, who also participated in the first World Book Night in 2012, was inspired to get involved in this program after working with an international student. The student told Wiltgen that she was interested in reading a good book in English that was not a textbook. John Grisham is one of Wiltgen’s favorite authors.

Each year, 30 books are chosen by an independent panel of librarians and booksellers. The authors of the books waive their royalties, and the publishers agree to pay the costs of producing the specially printed World Book Night U.S. editions. The Book Shelf, an independent bookstore in Winona, signed up to be the community host location for the local volunteer book givers.

For more information, go to www.us.worldbooknight.org.

20 books donated to De La Salle Language Institute

As a part of World Book Night April 23, Nancy Wiltgen '75, senior development director, presented 20 free copies of “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls to students at SMU’s De La Salle Language Institute. Wiltgen was just one of 25,000 volunteers who gave away half a million free books throughout 6,000 towns and cities across America on World Book Night, April 23.

Wiltgen was inspired to get involved in this program after working with an international student last year. The student told Wiltgen that she was interested in reading a good book in English that was not a textbook. “The Glass Castle” is one of Wiltgen’s favorites. For more information, go to www.worldbooknight.org.