Overview & FAQ
The Current Problem
According to local librarians and teachers, a lack of consistent readership at home has contributed to low literacy outcomes amongst students. The factors pointing toward low literacy rates overall are complex. Nevertheless, there is room for action now.
Our Solution
By building home libraries full of meaningful, intentionally chosen, diverse texts, Nashville Book Connection aims to nurture a culture of readership at home - impacting literacy book by book.
To learn more about our approach click here.
Mission & Vision
Our mission is to impact literacy at home, book by book for ages K - 4th grade through access to books at home, expertly curated texts that act as windows and mirrors for students to see themselves, and encouraging student’s agency to choose books they are excited to read.
This program is about connection. It’s about kids connecting with books, it’s about families connecting over reading, and it’s about communities connecting over shared favorite books from childhood through adulthood.
Our vision is to impact literacy by building home libraries full of meaningful, intentionally chosen, diverse texts across Nashville.
How Can I Help?
donate money & donate books.
How can I donate books?
Shop or get inspired by our Wishlists here.
Send books via mail or donate books at one of our local Partner Donation Sites.
Send Books:
For more details, please contact us at Clare@NashvilleBookConnection.com.
Partner Donation Sites:
How can I donate money?
Visit our GoFundMe here.
Interested in discussing a donation privately? Email us here.
Deadline For Donations?
At this time, all new donations will be used to purchase books from our curated book selections that will be distributed to MNPS students at our partner school.
We are looking to raise $5,000.00 by Spring 2021 to roll out Pilot Program at our MNPS partner school in 2021.
What if I miss the deadline? We never turn away donations!
What Books?
Details for donating books:
Do you have a wishlist? Yes! Explore our expertly curated wishlists. It is important that students have access to a diverse range of books that act as windows and mirrors for kids to see themselves.
Ages? Books are intended for students ages K - 4th grade.
Genres? Picture Books, Early Readers, Chapter Books Series, Comics, Graphic Novels
Topics? Adventure, Animals, Different Places in the World, Families, Fantasies & Fairytales, Feelings, Funny Things, Mysteries, Real People, Scary Things, Science, Space, Superheroes…
Book Condition? You can donate new and gently used books in hardcover and softcover. We welcome all books that are in excellent condition.
Deadline? Donations are ongoing. During the Coronavirus crisis, providing books to students at home is more vital than ever.
What if I miss the deadline? We never turn away books! If you miss the deadline, your books will be held and catalogued to use for our roll out in additional MNPS schools in 2021.
Where do I buy books in Nashville? Buy books at of our local Partner Donation Sites:
Where do I mail books?
For more details, please contact us at Clare@NashvilleBookConnection.com.
Out of town?
We welcome support from near and far! You can help by:
Exploring our expertly curated wishlists and mailing new or gently used books here.
For more details about shipping books to NBC, please contact us at Clare@NashvilleBookConnection.com.
Donating to our GoFundMe.
Pilot Program?
Our pilot program rolled out in November 2019 at select Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) schools where over 300 elementary school students attend.
Utilizing mobile book carts, students will have daily access to books to read at home. Volunteers will man mobile book carts at the end of the school day at various pick-up locations. From these carts, students will pick at least one book a week for six weeks to take home and keep. We will measure impact using short feedback cards filled out by students each week. After six weeks, we will take learnings from our Pilot Program to prepare for a 2020 Nashville Book Connection launch in additional MNPS schools.
Who are your Partners?
Our partners include any individual, business, school, institution, non-profit, teacher, student, librarian, volunteer, parent, illustrator, writer, book reviewer, blogger and more with a desire to impact literacy at home, book by book.
Contact us here to learn how you can get involved.
Questions?
For any additional questions including volunteer opportunities, press inquiries, partnership, bringing Nashville Book Connection to your school and more please email us here.