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March 22, 2000
Lafayette library's best friendNew Ulm man has donated hundreds of books to charter school in LafayetteBy GUY PRIEL Journal Staff Writer NEW ULM -- When residents of Lafayette decided to run a charter school after District 88 pulled the financing plug during last year's budget cuts, their biggest problem was how to find books for their students and fill the empty library shelves. Although the school district did leave a few books behind for the fledgling school and supporters managed to purchase some from St. Mary's School, it was far from enough to provide an adequate selection and begin the process of developing a public library for Lafayette. Enter New Ulm resident Kenneth Colakovic, who is originally from Mankato, an employee on the overnight shift at Hy-Vee, who has been donating books every week since June. "I never met the man and didn't know much about him until just recently," School Director Lisa Hartley said. "He stated he chose to remain anonymous at the time he started donating books." The relationship between Colakovic and Lafayette began last summer when he was dropping off a stack of children's books at Bookshelves and Coffeecups in New Ulm. "I was approached by the proprietor of the Copy Haus (Joyce Reese) who asked me if I would be interested in donating the books to the school," Colakovic said. "Then I just started doing it every week." He visits thrift stores in Mankato, North Mankato, St. Peter, New Ulm and Lake Crystal during his spare time, which he admits he doesn't have much of these days, and tries to find the best variety of books he can. "I obtain the books all at my own expense," he said. "I feel it's necessary to volunteer my time and my services and what better way than to combat illiteracy? So many children fall through the cracks of our educational system." Because he works during the midnight shift, he is generally too tired to physically volunteer his time, so this was the next best thing to provide a service to residents of Nicollet County. "I drop the books off at the Copy Haus and Joyce delivers them to the school," he said. "I have never been to the school, but I would like to visit there sometime and read to the children." He doesn't just donate any books to the school, either, as he spends time browsing for the right selection of books that are in fairly decent condition, he said. "I have bought some new books now and then and I rarely read the ones I donate, because otherwise I might find some I want to keep, which is not why I do this," Colakovic said. "I bought new copies of the Harry Potter series for the school once." When it comes to children's books, he looks for familiar titles, or favorite series, such as Animorphs, Goose Bumps and Fear Street. "When it comes to adult books, I get everything from science fiction to mystery," he said. "And as far as non-fiction goes, it is mainly foreign language, history and geography." He hasn't counted the number of books he has donated and will not accept monetary reimbursement for the books, but he estimates the books number in the hundreds, because he has donated a steady volume since July. He does admit that he has a few favorite subjects and he also has a collection of favorite books that line shelves in his apartment, mainly non-fiction books. "Joyce has done her part really well and she will tell me when the library is full," he said. "Until then, I will continue to donate them." He buys discard books from the New Ulm Public Library from time to time and even donated some items to them, but they seemed to have a surplus and Colakovic decided to look elsewhere. "I worked with someone once who was illiterate and it is difficult for them to function in society," he said. "I think it is important that children learn to read." Throughout the past few months he has become an expert at choosing books and always manages to find good deals on paperback books and occasionally a few hardbacks. The key is to develop connections and find the best bargains, he said. "This entire effort is voluntary for the children of Lafayette," he said. "Donating books is the next best thing to donating money. I plan to continue the project as long as I have free time." Reese said he has a knack for selecting the best books and the school plans to build new shelves to house all the books and is making plans to make the library handicapped accessible for public use.
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