One Million Books for One Million Kids

Verizon, Barnes & Noble complete largest children's book drive nationwide

By Lauren Barack -- School Library Journal, 4/1/2005

Children nationwide will have a few more books in their hands, following the recent completion of a massive annual book drive sponsored by Verizon and Barnes & Noble.

Tagged "Season's Readings: One Million Books for One Million Children," the drive was launched four years ago by Verizon to help promote literacy and the joy of reading. Barnes & Noble climbed aboard this year by donating titles from its stock and widened the program's exposure by placing kiosks in many of its stores to encourage customers—as well as its own employees—to donate to the cause.

The books, with titles including Charlotte's Web (HarperTrophy, 1974) by E. B. White and those from the Clifford series by Norman Bridwell, were collected during the holiday season from the middle of last November through December. Distribution to local schools, libraries, and literacy organizations throughout the country began in January and ended in March.

Although books with more mature themes were not rejected, the purpose of the drive was to focus on books that would be easier for first-time or early readers to grasp, says Verizon spokesman Erik Phelps. Hundreds of groups, including Head Start programs across the country, received some of the largess. All of the recipients were chosen by Barnes & Noble and Verizon employees.

Although librarians did not help with book selection, some libraries on this year's beneficiary list included the Saugus Public Library in Massachusetts and the San Bernardino Library in California.