We provide book access through a variety of age-based distribution programs across Athens, GA and beyond.
Research shows that book access is one of the most powerful tools in building literacy-rich communities. At Books for Keeps, we believe that book access for all is a right and are committed to providing high-interest, high-quality books across our community. Learn more about the importance of book access by visiting our “How It Works” page.
Little Kids
Infant & Pre-K
Ages 0-5
Pre-K Book Bundles
Every Pre-K student in Clarke county receives 3 brand new, free books each month of the school year (that's 600 kiddos!) to help progress Kindergarten readiness rates. That's an additional 16,000 books to kids next year alone! This program’s goal is to help further develop positive associations with books and learning before finding themselves in Kindergarten. Books are always developmentally appropriate and typically slot into a few categories: social-emotional learning, letter and number foundations, bi-lingual, and seasonal celebrations.
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After a successful pilot in Elbert County, the program was formally introduced in Clarke County for the 2022-23 school year. Programming is currently made possible through ARPA funding from CCSD Connect.
Program FAQs
Questions about this program? Contact us!
Results
Since 2021, we have distributed 32,788 books to 1,463 Pre-K students!
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BFK is currently partnering with the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development at the University of Georgia to conduct a program evaluation for its Pre-K Book Bundle Program, measuring the program’s impact on book access, at-home reading frequency, and caregiver confidence in supporting early literacy. We look forward to sharing the results!
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Athens-Clarke County
Focused on children ages 0-5, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (“DPIL”) has been alive in Athens Clarke County for nearly 10 years. BFK began overseeing the program in 2021, which includes coordinating child registration, sharing about the program in the community, and funding all books and local operational costs.
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Each month, an age-appropriate book along with tools to grow literacy in the home and develop kindergarten readiness is mailed to the child's home.
Have a little one, aged 0-5 at home? Register them today! We also invite you to consider sponsoring a child’s participation in the program, which costs roughly $30 per year.
Program FAQs
Questions about this program? Contact us!
Results
Since 2021, we have distributed 88,009 books to 7,692 children through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library!
Big Kids
Elementary School
Ages 6-12
Spring Book Distributions
(also known as "Stop Summer Slide")
Have you ever experienced a School Book Fair, either as a child or an adult? Imagine if at that event, you were able to select 12 of the brand new, high-interest books in front of you to take home for keeps that summer! That’s the best way we can describe these events, hosted in elementary schools across 5 counties each spring.
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The research-backed program is now serving more than 9,000 elementary school students across 6 counties in Georgia, ranging from metro Atlanta to rural Warrenton. Every student at our schools is invited to participate by selecting 12 brand-new, free books to take home and keep, all in an effort to stop the learning loss (“summer slide”) that occurs over the summer months. The Allington study, which the program is based on, found that when given the autonomous choice to select from books they’re interested in, students are more likely to read those books and develop a foundational love of reading and learning.
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Books for Keeps’ 2018 program evaluation found that students participating in the program were not only stopping the summer slide, they were reversing it and gaining 10-20% more levels of reading than their peers not in the program.
Get Involved
Support our Spring Book Distributions as a volunteer! Learn more here.
Program FAQs
Questions about this program? Contact us!
Results
Since 2009, we have distributed 910,875 books to 10,546 elementary students!
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To date, we have consistently seen the program’s impact across the communities we serve. Elementary students receiving books through our book access programs gain an average of one to two months of reading achievement each summer and gain 10-20% more levels in reading than their peers not in the program. Read more about the program's evaluation and impact here.
Bigger Kids
Everyone Else!
Ages 13 and up
Community Book Fair
Every fall, Books for Keeps opens its warehouse doors to invite community members to browse our selection of hundreds of donated books. Each visitor is invited to take home 100+ books for free to bring back to their families, classrooms, and home communities!
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This event is a reflection of our mission to provide equitable book access for all and is made possible through partnerships with generous sponsors throughout the community. Join us this year in October as a visitor, and consider partnering with us a sponsor today!
Get Involved
Support the Community Book Fair as a Sponsor! Learn more here.
Program FAQs
Questions about the Community Book Fair? Contact us & save the date for October 2024!
Results
Since 2020, we have distributed 163,778 books to 6,068 community members!
BFK Bookmobile
Affectionately referred to by our team as “Big Baby Blue,” the BFK Bookmobile is a rolling reminder of the importance of literacy in our community. The vehicle travels to schools, community events, and festivals throughout the year to offer book swaps, community resources, and other enrichment activities through collaboration with other organizations in our community.
Get Involved
Support a year of BFK Bookmobile rides as an annual Sponsor! Learn more here.
Bookmobile FAQs
Questions about the Bookmobile or interest in partnering with us in the future? Contact us!
Results
Since it's first ride in 2022, the BFK Bookmobile has visited 20 community and school events and distributed 9,775 books to the community!
Little Free Libraries
We love Little Free Libraries, and the opportunity they provide for book access across communities! Throughout the year, our team coordinates book drops to keep LFLs around town stocked with high quality books.
Check out the Little Free Library Map to find a library near you. Don’t see your local library listed? Let us know if you’d like a member of our team to come refresh your book selection!
Get Involved
Support the Community Book Fair as a Sponsor! Learn more here.
Little Free Library FAQs
Contact us with your questions!