We are starting to get an indication of what the cuts to the School District of Philadelphia budget will mean for local neighborhood schools.

The Henry C. Lea School (4700 Locust St.) has lost its full-time librarian for the 2011-2012 school year. Luckily a combination of grassroots groups are stepping in to help out. The West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WePAC) will bring its celebrated program Open Books Open Minds to Lea. That means that volunteers will keep the library open and help younger students with reading and older students with research for school projects.

Click here if you are interested in volunteering at Lea through the WePAC program. WePAC asks for a minimum commitment of two hours every other week.

Also, the West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools is sponsoring a book drive through the summer to provide more books for in-classroom libraries at Lea. You can drop off books at Bindlestiff Books (4530 Baltimore Ave.) during business hours or on the porch at 4317 Larchwood Ave. All books appropriate for children K-8 are appreciated. A group of teachers will go through the books over the summer and divide them into the appropriate grade levels.