The Madison Reading Project on Nov. 10 will launch its 6th annual Community Book Drive to get new books to area children this holiday season.
Deirdre Steinmetz, co-executive director of programs and operations for MRP, said the organization’s goal is to raise $100,000 and acquire 4,000 new books before winter break to supply its year-end giving events and literacy programming in 2027.
“We plan to give more than 10,000 books to local children, just in time for the coming holidays,” Steinmetz said in a press release.
Steinmetz said the book drive allows people to purchase books from wishlists at its website and donate new books at Book Wish Trees located throughout Dane County.
Madison Reading Project staff and volunteers will place book-collection bins in public locations such as shopping malls, libraries and local bookstores.
Community organizations, bookstores, corporate sponsors and employee groups are hosting individual book drives to help reach the 10,000 book goal.
To expand its reach, MRP will again partner with the Empty Stocking Club, Madison School and Community Recreation, the Monona and Waunakee public libraries and other community organizations.
The book drive ends Dec.10 to ensure books get to kids on time before holiday break. The fundraiser runs through the end of the year.
“It is so important for children to have access to new books that reflect their unique identities as well as open their eyes to others’ lived experiences,” Rowan Childs, co-executive director/founder of MRP said in a press release.
“Supporting our Community Book Drive helps us get thousands of new, high-quality books to kids, many of whom, unfortunately, have few books in their homes,” Childs said. “In fact, we’ve given more than 100,000 books during the holidays over the past couple of years.”
Books can be donated online or through several area bookseller partners, including Lake City Books, Mystery To Me, Books 4 School, Ink & Ivy, Garden Wall Bookshop, Ink Cap Books, and A Room of One’s Own.
More information about the book drive can be found online.
