Barnes & Noble Donates More Than 1.1 Million Books to Nonprofit Organizations, Schools, Libraries and Literacy Partners All across the Country

Barnes & Noble, Inc. announced today that it collected and donated more than 1.1 million books for children in need all over the country during its 2009 Holiday Book Drive, thanks to the generous support of customers and its enthusiastic booksellers. In addition, Barnes & Noble donated another 150,000 books to students in the New Orleans School District through Reader to Reader, Inc., a non-profit organization that distributes books to schools and libraries in need, and 50,000 to Toys for Tots, which collects and distributes toys as Christmas gifts to needy children.

Community partners who have already begun distributing the books collected by Barnes & Noble booksellers include schools, libraries, and social service organizations.

You Really Out Did Yourself This Time

Dear David,

You really out did yourself this time. The books that came are beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hardcover and brand new. It was like Christmas for me on a Monday. I was going to say "you have no idea how much we love books," but you must love them too or you wouldn't be doing this wonderful job!

I appreciate every single copy, truly. You have made our day, month, year.

Lisa Mutter-Gendreau
Henry J. Winters Elementary
Pawtucket, RI

Follett Educational Services Boosts Costa Rica Project

Follett Educational Services has donated 348 Spanish-language books, valued at $4,565, to aid Reader to Reader’s Beyond el Campo project. The project builds school library resources in rural Costa Rica.

We are extremely grateful for Follett Education Services’ generous donation.

Follett sent the following note:

"Follett Educational Services (FES) is proud to be a participant in Reader to Reader’s Beyond el Campo project. The Spanish language books donated will provide additional resources for students in need, and will help those students become closer to achieving their educational goals. "Along the way, it is our hope that the books inspire an enduring passion for reading and learning” says Cornell Rollins, Vice President of Marketing at FES. “For over 130 years, FES has strived to make the difference in the lives of K-12 students and is excited to partner with Reader to Reader to help equip the classrooms in Costa Rica with the tools they need to encourage success.”

Navajo Nation Library Book Drive Begins Anew

The second phase of the Navajo Nation Library Book Drive has begun.

The first shipment of 12,000 books and 10 computers shipped in early November to the Navajo Nation Library in Window Rock, Arizona.

68 boxes have already been collected and sorted for another shipment of books that will take place this spring.

The Navajo Nation Library Book Drive is collecting 100,000 books and 100 computers for the Navajo Nation Library. The library serves the 27,000 sq. mile Navajo Nation in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah.

It is not too late to donate books to the book drive. Please help us by following these guidelines.

1. Books should be in very good or excellent condition. (Books on Native-American subjects will be accepted in any condition).
2. Books on the subject of medicine or health should be no older than 4 years old.
3. CDs and DVDs accepted. No records, VHS or cassette tapes.
4. No magazines.
5. No textbooks.
6. No encyclopedias.
7. Donations of more than 10 boxes of books at a time should first contact us at info@readertoreader.org so we can make storage space arrangements.
8. People interested in donating computers should first contact us at info@readertoreader.org before making the donation. All computer donations must be preapproved.

Books should be shipped to:

Navajo Nation Book Drive
Reader To Reader, Inc.
Cadigan Center – 38 Woodside Ave.
Amherst, MA 01002

Boxes and More Boxes!

Here are photos of the 150,000 new children’s books that were donated to New Orleans schools last month.

Reader to Reader was pleased to work with Barnes & Noble, the world's largest bookseller, to make a truly mammoth book donation. Two 18-wheel tractor trailers are delivering 48 pallets containing 150,000 books and plush toys to the Recovery School District of New Orleans.

29 New Orleans schools received 1,249 boxes of books.

In addition to building school library and classroom resources, every New Orleans student received a book of their own in time for the holidays.



A special thank you to all the hard working AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps volunteers who helped in getting the books to the schools.

About Reader to Reader

Based on the campus of Amherst College in Amherst, MA, Reader to Reader, Inc. www.readertoreader.org is a non-profit organization that distributes books to schools and libraries in need. We have donated 2.8 million books to schools and libraries in need across the United States, and 1.4 million books to schools and libraries in New Orleans rebuilding from Hurricane Katrina.

I would like to thank you for the books you blessed our students with

(Some feedback from last month's donation of 150,000 children's books to New Orleans schools courtesy of Barnes & Noble.)


Dear Reader to Reader,

I would like to thank you for the books you blessed our students with. They were so excited to receive them and are making good use of the books. I have attached a photo of my students reading and using the art books they picked.

Again thank you so much. Our kids need reading materials to keep them occupied. You are truly a blessing.

Mrs. A. Alexander
Murray Henderson School
New Orleans, LA