The latest local news, weather and high school sports in and around Columbia and Jefferson City

JOPLIN, MO. -- When a tornado damaged or destroyed several Joplin schools, book lovers in Kansas City decided something had to be done.

Volunteers from several areas are working together to bring individual 50-book libraries to young readers in needy classrooms in Joplin.

Two of the schools destroyed by the May 22 tornado -- Irving Elementary and Emerson Elementary -- serve low-income students.

The Kansas City Star reports organizers are building 22 bookcases on wheels. Each will open like a book and contain 50 new books. Librarians, book store owners, carpenters and artists are volunteering time to make the project happen.

They've also recruited child authors Jon Scieszka and Brian Selznick to speak at fundraising events on Monday and in early October. Money raised will be used to buy the books.