Thanks to former IFLS staffer Amy Alpine for sending me information about a tremendous outreach project! World Book Night is a collaborative effort of a group of publishing companies, the American Booksellers Association, the American Library Association, and others, to get high interest books into the hands of non or light readers.
On April 23, 50,000 volunteers will spread out across the United States to give away 20 free copies of a book (see list of books here). There are several YA titles on the list, a couple that are good for younger kids, and many adult titles that will have crossover appeal. The goal is to have people who are passionate about a book share it with people who don’t have much connection to books.
A few more details:
- Your library can apply to be a World Book Night pick-up spot. Volunteer book-givers will pick up books at your library and give them away not in the library. For more information on this, see Information for Librarians.
- Even if you don’t sign up to do this, it would be cool to display your library’s copy of the books (in the UK last year, sales of the titles featured in the giveaway soared)
- You can apply to be a volunteer book giver–might be a fun project for individual librarians, a Friends group, or others (you have to be 16 to participate). Remember, books are to give away not in the library–try at a softball game or a park, a soup kitchen or shelter. For more information see Register as a 2012 Giver
If your library decides to participate, please let us know if you are accepted as a site!