On display at the Edgecombe County Memorial Library is a Christmas tree built of discarded books.

Billy the Bookworm wears a Christmas cap and is draped around the tree.

In Pinetops, a poster of a Christmas tree is also on display.

These are special trees, the Giving Trees. During the holiday season, the Children’s Department of Edgecombe County Memorial Library is working in concert with Dr. Ada Williams Wooten to provide a free book to children who attend the well-child check-ups at the Tarboro Clinic during this holiday season and the children’s departments of the library have placed these trees in public display.

The Pinetops poster of a Giving Tree was drawn by an employee from Tarboro.

The Giving Tree in Tarboro was built by a library volunteer from Edgecombe Early College and another employee of the library by covering the discarded books with red and green paper.

Gift tags dangle from both of the trees and list the names and costs of various classic children’s books and a few newer books.

Above the tree in Tarboro is a sign, explaining that the Giving Tree display was created for a special purpose.

At this time of the year, people want to share thanks for all that they have received. An easy way to do this is to make a donation for a book purchase at the library that will be given to the children in the community.

Patrons are invited to select a tag from the trees and donate the cost of a book, which will be ordered by the library and sent to the Tarboro Clinic.

A patron can find a book he or she would like to purchase for a child, remove the tag and take it to the circulation desk in order to make a donation.

A variety of books will be listed and some blank tags will also be included on the tree, in case your favorite children’s book is not on the list.