Racine Public Library on mission to complete Golden Book collection

RACINE -- There's a quest to collect more than 1,100 books in the Golden Books collection.  They are some of the most popular books of all time.  Golden Books were published in Racine until 2001.

"Nobody kept an archival collection. No one really thought about that. That is historically important to not only children's literature, but to this community," Racine Public Library librarian Darcy Mohr said.

The Racine Public Library attempted to collect every book.  Piles grew, but soon dwindled.

"We got a lot of titles, and we came within 400 and then it just kind of fizzled out," Mohr said.

That's why Chris Terry stepped in to help.  Terry and his wife donated nearly 400 books from their own shelves and they hit the streets looking for donations. Terry says the books were staples of his childhood.

"I was just a big book nerd -- a big book worm when I was a kid. I loved reading," Terry said.

The library is now only missing about 60 titles to complete the collection.  They are hopeful they'll have all of the books in the next few months.

"Chris picked up the ball, and he's going to see us to the end of this project, and that has been fabulous," Mohr said.

Do you have a Golden Books children's book? Donations can be dropped off at the Racine Public Library. The library says any duplicate books collected will be put into the library's circulation.

CLICK HERE for a list of Golden Books still missing from the Racine Public Library's collection.

Golden Books are still being published, but not in Racine.