Calvary Moravian Church, 948 N. 21st St., Allentown, is offering a Reading Room for children as part of its commitment to serve the community.

The free Reading Room at the West End church allows children to keep the books they want, up to two per visit.

The Reading Room is open 2-6 p.m. Thursdays, with story and crafts at 3:30 p.m. Snacks also are served.

Parents are invited to bring their children, ranging in age from toddlers to middle schoolers.

The library has more than a thousand books and is staffed by volunteers who are church members.

“There’s power in children being able to own books they can turn to and enjoy,” Pastor Janel Rice said. “They can learn the process of reading by increasing their own personal library.”

The concept fits in with the Allentown School District’s goal of improving literacy by third grade.

Church members got their idea from the Cops ’n’ Kids Reading Room at Northampton Community College’s Fowler Family South Side Center, Bethlehem.

They realized some families might have difficulty getting from Calvary Moravian’s neighborhood to the Allentown Public Library a few miles away.

“With that, we began to wonder how to bring the love of reading to children in our neighborhood and increase their ability to gain access to books,” Rice said.

“This could be a gift we could give to the community around us.”

Calvary Moravian opened its Reading Room last fall.

“We are committed to this being an outreach program,” Rice said.

“We’ve already done a story time and book giveaway to second-graders at Muhlenberg Elementary School, and have just established a story time and book giveaway with the Sixth Street Shelter.”

She said the church welcomes opportunities to bring books to programs or groups where they would be appreciated.

To get to the Reading Room at Calvary Moravian, enter the church at the Livingston Street entrance and go downstairs. Signs will show the way.

For more information, contact Rice at 610-435-6881 or email janelrice3616@gmail.com.