What We Do

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Our community-driven organization is committed to fostering brighter futures through literacy. With a focus on enhancing kindergarten readiness and advancing educational success, we strive to instill a love for learning among youth aged 0-11 in Seattle; especially kids in underserved  communities. By delivering culturally diverse and developmentally appropriate books, we bridge educational gaps and nurture thriving, empowered individuals. We believe that every child deserves access to high-quality books that reflect their diverse backgrounds and experiences. Through our efforts, we aim to empower children to become curious, lifelong learners who are equipped to overcome challenges and reach their full potential.

Access to books at home has a profound impact on children's lives. When kids have high-quality books and resources, entire communities flourish. Research shows that children with books at home develop stronger vocabularies, perform better in school, and acquire essential skills that serve them throughout their lives. In fact, according to WeAreTeachers, kids that have a home library, of even just 20 books, achieve three more years of schooling than children that don't have any books at home.  Kids in low-income neighborhoods often don't have access to books and resources they desperately need. It's our goal to establish programs that create more equitable access to these vital resources.

As a foundation we have two flagship programs with one expansion program on the horizon as funding grows.

At our nonprofit, we believe in the power of books to transform lives. Through our Giving Library initiative, we create meaningful opportunities to put books directly into the hands of children, free of charge. Our primary focus is on eliminating book deserts, those areas with limited access to books, and ensuring that we reach children who face the greatest barriers to educational justice.

Led by our founder, Becky, an experienced K-12 librarian with a genuine passion for children's literature, we establish a special connection between kids and the perfect books for them. Becky's expertise allows us to personally curate our book collection, guaranteeing a diverse range of materials that captivate young readers and ignite their enthusiasm for reading. We know that sometimes, all it takes is one book to spark a child's interests and open up a world of possibilities.

Recognizing the profound impact of book ownership, we strive to create memorable experiences that leave children excited about reading. Our goal is to equip both kids and parents with dedicated literacy tools that extend beyond the event itself. We welcome volunteers to join us in these endeavors, as their support plays a vital role in spreading the joy of reading. If you're interested in getting involved, please email us to learn more about how you can make a difference!

We are excited to introduce you to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. The Imagination Library is free of charge to families and each month free, high-quality, age-appropriate books are mailed to registered children from birth to age five! The Community Book Project's partnership with DPIL ensures Seattle area children will have an ever growing selection of books at home. These books support early literacy and ensure Kindergarten readiness. We are beyond thrilled to expand this program in Seattle. Learn more and register HERE.

In addition, we host various book drives and accept new and gently used book donations.  New books are gifted to excited kids through our Giving Library during literacy events.  Gently used books are used to support several growing programs. They help us create book bundles that are delivered to local teachers/schools that lack robust classroom libraries. We also stock little free libraries in communities deemed 'book deserts' and we use them to host books swaps in neighborhood schools. If you'd like to contribute new or used books, or maybe even host a book drive of your own to benefit CBP, visit our Book Donation Page or please contact us. We'd love your support.
 

As funding increases, our intention is to broaden the scope of our book events by incorporating additional offerings like on-site lunches and other food-related opportunities. By combining books with meals for children experiencing food insecurity, particularly during periods when school is not in session, we are advancing our goal of promoting academic achievement and fostering resilient communities.   We look forward to this expansion with your help.  Feel free to send inquiries to hello@communitybookproject.org.

Together we can empower the next generation by ensuring equal access to books for children from all backgrounds and, in-turn, promote thriving communities.