At Book it Forward! Idaho our mission is to collect gently-used and new children’s books, clean and sort them, and get them in the hands of kids who have little access to books at home.  We know that access to books is a key factor in becoming a proficient reader.

Since the spring of 2013 we have collected and donated almost 865,000 books to kids in Idaho and beyond.

Donate to Book it Forward!

Book it Forward! Idaho, an initiative of Idaho Voices for Children, is dedicated to increasing access to books for children. We collect new and gently-used books and get them to kids who have little to no access to books at home.

Kids are learning to read up through third grade, and after that, they are reading to learn.  Reading proficiently by the end of third grade is the single most important factor for success in school and in life. Having too few books for kids in low-income homes is a barrier to developing their reading proficiency.

Did you know?

  • Low-income homes on average have 1 book for every 300 children. By comparison, middle and high-income homes have 50 books for each child.
  • The availability of reading material in the home is directly associated with a child’s achievement in reading.
  • Of the 19.6 million children in the country under the age of six, more than 40% live in poverty.
  • Nearly half of these children from low-income communities start first grade up to two years behind their peers.
  • A child who does not learn to read may face dire consequences. 85% of children in the juvenile justice system are functionally illiterate.

Here’s how you can help:

  • Donate any new or gently-used books to Book It Forward! Idaho.Your donation is tax-deductible. Click here for a tax receipt form. We will provide those books to children who need them to become successful readers.
  • Make a monetary donation and all funds will be used to buy new books for kids, especially ones we do not receive as donations, such as social and emotional learning, dual language, and books on diversity.
  • Volunteer to help clean and sort books. Set up a shift using the contact information below.  We can deliver books to your home with instructions on cleaning and sorting the books.
  • Like us on Facebook! Follow us on Instagram! You can keep up to date on book drive initiatives, educational news, and see what we’re doing, locally and internationally!

Interested in hosting a book drive?

You can hold your own book drive for Book it Forward! Idaho. Book drives are a fun and rewarding way to engage your school, organization and/or friends in efforts to increase access to books to kids in Idaho.

If you are interested in hosting a book drive, please download, complete, and return our registration form.

In the Treasure Valley, you can drop off new and gently-used children’s books at the following drop box locations:

    • The Treasure Valley YMCAs (Downtown, West, and Caldwell locations)
    • Barnes and Noble (1315 N. Milwaukee St., Boise, ID)

Alternatively, you can drop off your books at United Way of Treasure Valley (3100 S. Vista Ave., Boise, ID), or email us for a pickup.

What have we accomplished so far?

We have collected and donated lots of books through local partnerships!

  • Donated 860,000 + books to children since the Spring of 2013.
  • Partnered with United Way of Treasure Valley for 10 years in an annual state-wide book drive.
  • Established another location with volunteers operating out of Twin Falls servicing southeast Idaho.
  • Set up collection sites at the Treasure Valley Family YMCA’s Downtown, West, and Caldwell locations, United Way of Treasure Valley at 3100 S. Vista Ave. in Boise, and Barnes & Noble at 1315 N. Milwaukee St. in Boise.
  • Partnered with many area schools to hold book drives, including Roosevelt, Foothills and Highlands Elementary schools, as well as Boise High School, Bishop Kelly High School, Galileo STEM Academy, and Riverstone International.
  • Donated tens of thousands of books to organizations such as Terry Reilly Clinics, Title One schools in Caldwell, Nampa, and Boise, Family Advocates, Ada County Juvenile Detention Center, Literacy in the Park, After-school programs, WICAP and Head Start learning centers, WIC Clinics, and the Boys & Girls Clubs, among many others.

We have won awards for our work!

  • Awarded the Inspire Excellence award in 2023, recognizing non-profits in the Treasure Valley that inspire, uplift, and serve our community.
  • Awarded the Governor’s Brightest Star award in 2017, recognizing our impact and volunteerism in the community.
  • Awarded the Bob LeBow Community Health award in 2017 for providing over 45,000+ books to Terry Reilly Clinics.
  • Awarded a $14,000 grant in 2015 from the Silver Sage Porsche Club of America. With these funds we installed additional outdoor collection boxes, built and stocked 12 Little Libraries, and purchased dual language books for 0 – 5-year-olds.

Impact beyond Idaho!

  • In 2018, as a one-time project, we collected 2,000+ books for a middle/high school in Humacao, Puerto Rico, and raised funds to ship them to the school, as well as provide a $1,100 cash donation to the school.
  • In 2018, we helped fund a school library in South Africa. This library was made from an old shipping container and now students have a space to borrow books in Swahili!

Contact

For information on donating books, to request books, or to volunteer, contact Diane Garvey, dianeschwarz@hotmail.com.

Need a receipt for a donation?

Click here for a tax receipt form.

 

Facebook link:

Book it Forward Idaho | Facebook

Instagram link:

Book It Forward! Idaho (@book_it_forward_idaho) • Instagram photos and videos