AUGUSTA — ShineOnCass has donated a new lending library to the Kennebec Valley YMCA to help increase youth literacy in central Maine. The 6-foot, bright yellow, floating sun bookcase has been stocked with hundreds of children’s books for the children at the Kennebec Valley YMCA to borrow.

“It’s very eye-catching, so when people see it, they’re immediately drawn to it,” said Jennifer Fortin, the YMCA’s senior director for development and marketing.

ShineOnCass is a nonprofit organization Monica Charette founded after her daughter Cassidy died in 2014 in a haunted hayride crash in Mechanic Falls. Charette has kept Cass’ legacy alive through ShineOnCass, which works to educate, inspire and empower youth in Maine. The organization works with more than 25 different organizations and initiatives in Cassidy’s name. It has a special focus on increasing youth literacy.

This bookshelf is the second of its kind. ShineOnCass donated its first lending library to the Alfond Youth and Community Center in Waterville in 2021, and it has been very successful. However, that shelf is specifically for the after-school care program, limiting who has access to it. The new shelf at the YMCA is open to the public.

“Cassidy was an avid reader, and we thought it was so important to share that part of her life,” Charette said. “I hope the library allows families to have access to more books and will read together as families. I think there is no better way to honor Cassidy’s love of reading than to provide reading opportunities.”

The library has books for young readers up to teenagers. Charette donated some of Cassidy’s personal books and books about grief for children. A picture of Cass when she was young sits in the center of the bookshelf, which Fortin hopes will attract kids who identify with the photo of a child.

“We’ve seen so many families and children interact with the shelf while they’re here for swim lessons and visiting. It’s been really very engaging. The whole idea is to get books into the hands of youths,” Fortin said. “Literacy is really important to us. We try to get as many books out there to children as we can, especially in the summer months when there can be a delay in the learning process. This gets kids reading.”

The bookshelf promotes youth literacy and ties into the YMCA’s mission of youth development and local engagement as children learn to donate a book when they take one.

While the lending library was installed just last month, it has already seen a lot of use as community members take and donate books.

Seven-year-old Maddie Supry and her younger sister, 5-year-old Addison, are part of the YMCA after-school program and love the new bookshelf. On their most recent visit, Maddie grabbed “Baby Animals,” while Addison chose “The Magic School Bus: Inside the Hurricane.”

Maddie said she is excited to take books home and donate her old books because she has a lot of books for younger kids. Addison was drawn to the picture of Cass.

“I think it’s great that kids can take a book, read it with their families, and learn to donate,” Cara Baillargeon, mother to 4-year-old Sadie, said. “I love that it promotes literacy and helps families get books who may not be able to get them elsewhere.”

If community members want to get involved with the library, they can donate books to ShineOnCass or directly to the YMCA. They accept new and gently used books.

“For us, this bookshelf is about fostering a love of reading and promoting community engagement,” Fortin said. “It’s a great opportunity to teach our children about reusing objects and that books are special.”

ShineOnCass has several upcoming events, including its annual Baby Shower and PJ Party on May 4 at Hart-2-Hart Farm and Education Center in Albion, where Cass attended farm camp. Families are invited to show up in their pajamas and meet baby animals, who will also be wearing pajamas.

“This is an amazing community. I would not be here without them today,” Charette said. “They have been incredibly supportive, thoughtful, and kind to our family. There are people who never met Cassidy, but they feel like they know her through us. We have several mentoring programs in Cass’ name, and it’s so fun to see these kids grow, mature, and recognize that their places in the world are so much larger than themselves.”