Our mission is to promote literacy in Central Texas by holding free book fairs for youth in low-income communities. We want to increase access to books and help build home libraries because we believe every child matters.
THE NEED
We know that disadvantaged children lack access to books and as a result are significantly behind their peers academically.
In a three-year randomized trial, low-income elementary students who chose 12 free books each spring at school book fairs gained the equivalent of 35–40% of a grade level in reading compared to summer school at a fraction of the cost.
Source: Allington et al., 2010, Reading Psychology; rated “Near Top Tier” by Arnold Ventures’ Social Programs That Work.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Our aim is to help students who have limited access to books at home get introduced to the joy of reading and improve their reading skills by creating their own home libraries.
OUR METHOD
We partner with Title I public elementary schools and provide a FREE school wide book fair. Each student gets to choose one NEW book to add to their home library. Sometimes, students choose a second book from the bonus table.
Since many of the students don’t own books at home, we love giving them the option to pick any book they want. We give the “gift of choice.”
Nearly nine in ten children say they are more likely to finish a book they picked out themselves (Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report, 7th ed.)
We are passionate about building home libraries to level the educational playing field. We also provide books to children in foster care and students at-risk of dropping out of high school.
During the 24-25 school year, 87% of the students served at Title 1 schools were economically disadvantaged and 61% were English Language Learners.
OUR IMPACT
During the 2024-25 school year, Book Drive for Kids Austin distributed 11,309 books to 6,433 children across Central Texas through 20 free book fairs with our school and community partners.
”"I never imaged the volume of quality, brand new books you would bring. I had scholars who didn't want to do anything but read their new book. That's how you build a lifelong love of reading."
Michelle McCurdy, LibrarianWayside - REAL Learning Academy
Title 1 School Partners:
- Austin Achieve Public Schools;
- KIPP Texas Public Schools;
- IDEA public schools;
- Wayside schools;
- Cedars International Academy;
- Austin ISD
- Round Rock ISD and
- Del Valle ISD.
Partners Serving Foster Care Youth:
- Austin Angels;
- Central Texas Table of Grace;
- Isaiah 117 House;
- Settlement Home for Children and
- Learning Bridge.
Partners Serving At-Risk Youth:
TO DATE, BOOK DRIVE FOR KIDS AUSTIN HAS
BOOKS GIVEN
55,610
TOTAL BOOKS GIVEN
SERVED (Direct Contact at Book Fairs)
26,518
TOTAL CHILDREN SERVED
2096
CHILDREN in FOSTER CARE
23,571
STUDENTS at TITLE 1 SCHOOLS
851
AT-RISK STUDENTS
AT
109
EVENTS
GET INVOLVED
We are currently in need of the following:
- New books
- Cash donations to buy books in volume
- In-demand books purchased off our Amazon Wish List and Walmart Gift Registry
- Gift cards to Half Price Books and FirstBook to buy books
- Handmade bookmarks
- Volunteers to work at book fairs
If you want to host a book drive of NEW books, please reach out to Brooke at [email protected] to discuss details. We are not currently taking donations of used books.
THANK YOU to our SPONSORS!
OUR PARTNERS
Our Partners Help Book Drive for Kids Create a Culture of Literacy
