Children’s literacy nonprofit SMART Reading is now open for donations of new and gently used children’s books on an ongoing basis. The organization, which pairs volunteers with students for one-on-one reading sessions and gives participants two new books to keep each month, is in the early phases of opening a Book Bank in Central Oregon that will enhance the organization’s efforts to ensure local kids have books of their own.
A 2020 study in the Journal of Global Health found that the likelihood of being on track in literacy almost doubled if at least one book was available in a student’s home. “The Book Bank offers a sustainable way to increase book ownership and ensure that books kids have outgrown can find a new home with another child,” says SMART Reading Area Director Jennifer Zardinejad. All donated books will be sorted and cleaned with the help of volunteers before being given away to Central Oregon students.
Thanks to community donations and book drives with local businesses, SMART was able to host its first schoolwide, free book fair this spring at Culver Elementary. Students took home over 1,000 refurbished books ahead of summer break–a period of time when students are at risk of losing important reading gains they made during the school year.
Donations of new or gently used children’s books are accepted at SMART Reading’s office Monday through Friday by appointment. To schedule a book drop off, call 541-797-7726. SMART Reading is located at 1029 NW 14th Street, Suite 101, Bend, OR 97703.
From now until August 31, books can also be dropped off during business hours at the following two locations in Bend:
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Play Theory Cafe, 2221 NE 3rd Street, Suite 200; and
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Strictly Organic Coffee Co., 6 SW Bond Street (in the Box Factory).
To see SMART’s book donation criteria or learn how to host a book drive at a business, school, or community organization, visit www.SMARTReading.org/
About SMART Reading:
SMART Reading is a statewide children’s literacy nonprofit that serves kids in Oregon’s highest-need schools and communities with two ingredients critical for literacy and learning success: shared reading time and access to books. We mobilize volunteers to read with PreK through third-grade children, building confidence, literacy skills and a love of reading. Since 1992, we have paired over 158,000 volunteers to read with 334,000 children, and have put over 4.9 million books in the homes of the children we serve. Visit www.SMARTReading.