By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

PELHAM—Riverchase Middle School students excitedly flipped through a stack of new books donated to the school’s library by the Pelham Public Library on Dec. 8.

“They gave us a lot of really good books,” RMS student Kennedy Chambers said, pointing out “The Lemonade Crime,” the second book in the popular Lemonade War series. “That’s going to be awesome!”

The Pelham Public Library donated a total of nearly 100 books to RMS and Valley Intermediate School. Purchased with money from the library’s Smart Investing @ Your Library grant, the books each contains financial messages.

“It’s a fun way of learning how to be responsible,” Chambers said, noting many of the books had entertaining story lines and weren’t just about “the boring things.”

“I think we all like that,” RMS student Ellie McPhearson said, adding she planned to check out “Everything Money” from National Geographic. “I just love the random facts.”

The books also supplement what the RMS and VIS students learn in class.

“In the past, we’ve done lessons on having a goal and saving for that goal. It just plays into what we’re doing,” VIS media specialist Mary Foy said. “I just don’t think it’s ever too soon to start thinking about spending, saving and setting goals.”

RMS Principal Susan Hyatt echoed Foy, noting the donated books will help the students learn “to spend their money more wisely.”

The Dec. 8 book donation was part of a continuing partnership between the Pelham Public Library and Pelham City Schools.

“The library is a fun place and it is a resource also. It can support class work and pleasure reading as well,” Pelham Board of Education member Barbara Regan said. “Everything you can learn in the classroom, there’s something that can enhance or expand on it in the library.”

Pelham Public Library Director Barbara Roberts said she plans to continue the partnership with the city’s schools, bringing resources and programs to them.

“With this grant, we’re reaching out to the schools,” Roberts said. “We’re using the Smart Investing @ Your Library grant as a vehicle to bring financial literacy to students in the Pelham area.”

The Pelham Public Library was one of 17 libraries nationwide awarded the $83,500 Smart Investing @ Your Library grant in 2014 from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Investor Education Foundation and the American Library Association.