| Need help in setting up your Book Drive? CALL (937) 512-3104 |
Book drives are as unique as the organizations hosting them, but one thing is for sure…you have the power to put a book
in the hands of a new reader and help them to discover the joy of reading! Project READ will usually distribute the
collected books to the program in most current need of reading materials, but if your organization wishes to designate the
donation to a specific group, we can help you find one that meets your requirements.
Listed below are a few guidelines that will help you on the way to a successful Book Drive.
The “Wish List”
All of the programs that benefit from a Project READ Book Drive work with new readers (adults and children), so we ask that you collect only children’s
books. Gently used (“very gently”, “looks like new”, please) and new books are on our wish list for both adults and children. A book from your book
drive may be the very first book that a new reader will take home “to keep”. Some participants may wish to make a monetary contribution towards the
purchase of a book instead of donating one, and that is certainly acceptable and appreciated. Every little bit helps to open the world of words to the new
reader!
Set a Goal
Choose a goal that, while challenging, is attainable. Some organizations will offer incentives for participants, stage a friendly competition for prizes, and will
even match participant donations. The end result…lots of books!
Publicize the Book Drive and Hold a Kick-Off Event
A "kick-off" event provides a public opportunity to talk more about literacy while communicating the collaboration between individuals and Project READ.
We will be happy to provide informational materials for you, and even have a Project READ staff member or volunteer at your kick-off to answer
questions. You can plan a separate function for this event or include it as part of a regularly-scheduled meeting - whatever works best for your
organization. Traditional events range from featuring a guest speaker, holding a “read-a-thon” of favorite children’s stories, or something as simple as a
pre-event email blitz of literacy facts & stats followed by a kick-off day carry-in breakfast. An actual event is not necessary, but we do encourage getting
the word out early and often to create enthusiasm for the book drive.
Book Collection
• Designate a location for book collection. If you anticipate that some participants may choose to make a monetary donation towards the purchase of
new books, make sure that someone is assigned to collect those funds throughout the drive. Checks may be made to Project READ (tax deductible) if
you would like us to purchase the books, or your organization can make the purchase and add the books to your collection box.
• Collect the books by reading level. This makes the sorting and distribution of the books much easier. Children’s books are easily sorted by
reading level: 1) Picture Books / Pre-Kindergarten, 2) Elementary (K-4th grade), and 3) Middle School (chapter books)
• Make sure that the collection area is convenient and easily accessible for all participants
Provide Frequent Updates for Your Organization
Once the book drive is underway; keep participants engaged by providing frequent updates via email or by posting announcements. Be sure to include
the number of new children's books collected as well as the number still needed to reach the goal. Periodic incentives (e.g., raffle prizes) help to keep
individuals motivated.
Celebrate the Conclusion of the Book Drive and Attend a Reading Event
After the book drive, your organization may choose to celebrate the distribution of the books if they have been designated for a specific program. Project
READ will help to arrange an event to celebrate the success of the drive and have representatives of your group personally deliver the books to new
readers (at a school or community literacy program). This may well be the most rewarding and exciting part of the book drive for both participants and
recipients.
If you prefer something less formal, Project READ will arrange for representatives of literacy programs to come to your organization and collect the
donated books for their programs.
in the hands of a new reader and help them to discover the joy of reading! Project READ will usually distribute the
collected books to the program in most current need of reading materials, but if your organization wishes to designate the
donation to a specific group, we can help you find one that meets your requirements.
Listed below are a few guidelines that will help you on the way to a successful Book Drive.
The “Wish List”
All of the programs that benefit from a Project READ Book Drive work with new readers (adults and children), so we ask that you collect only children’s
books. Gently used (“very gently”, “looks like new”, please) and new books are on our wish list for both adults and children. A book from your book
drive may be the very first book that a new reader will take home “to keep”. Some participants may wish to make a monetary contribution towards the
purchase of a book instead of donating one, and that is certainly acceptable and appreciated. Every little bit helps to open the world of words to the new
reader!
Set a Goal
Choose a goal that, while challenging, is attainable. Some organizations will offer incentives for participants, stage a friendly competition for prizes, and will
even match participant donations. The end result…lots of books!
Publicize the Book Drive and Hold a Kick-Off Event
A "kick-off" event provides a public opportunity to talk more about literacy while communicating the collaboration between individuals and Project READ.
We will be happy to provide informational materials for you, and even have a Project READ staff member or volunteer at your kick-off to answer
questions. You can plan a separate function for this event or include it as part of a regularly-scheduled meeting - whatever works best for your
organization. Traditional events range from featuring a guest speaker, holding a “read-a-thon” of favorite children’s stories, or something as simple as a
pre-event email blitz of literacy facts & stats followed by a kick-off day carry-in breakfast. An actual event is not necessary, but we do encourage getting
the word out early and often to create enthusiasm for the book drive.
Book Collection
• Designate a location for book collection. If you anticipate that some participants may choose to make a monetary donation towards the purchase of
new books, make sure that someone is assigned to collect those funds throughout the drive. Checks may be made to Project READ (tax deductible) if
you would like us to purchase the books, or your organization can make the purchase and add the books to your collection box.
• Collect the books by reading level. This makes the sorting and distribution of the books much easier. Children’s books are easily sorted by
reading level: 1) Picture Books / Pre-Kindergarten, 2) Elementary (K-4th grade), and 3) Middle School (chapter books)
• Make sure that the collection area is convenient and easily accessible for all participants
Provide Frequent Updates for Your Organization
Once the book drive is underway; keep participants engaged by providing frequent updates via email or by posting announcements. Be sure to include
the number of new children's books collected as well as the number still needed to reach the goal. Periodic incentives (e.g., raffle prizes) help to keep
individuals motivated.
Celebrate the Conclusion of the Book Drive and Attend a Reading Event
After the book drive, your organization may choose to celebrate the distribution of the books if they have been designated for a specific program. Project
READ will help to arrange an event to celebrate the success of the drive and have representatives of your group personally deliver the books to new
readers (at a school or community literacy program). This may well be the most rewarding and exciting part of the book drive for both participants and
recipients.
If you prefer something less formal, Project READ will arrange for representatives of literacy programs to come to your organization and collect the
donated books for their programs.