What is a Half Pint Library?
The Half Pint Library program is a book drive hosted each year by Half Price Books to collect and distribute children’s books to those in need. Books donated through the Half Pint Library program provide an escape from the challenges faced by children, while helping to boost literacy skills outside of school. In many cases, children are getting their first book through the Half Pint Library program. The drive accepts any type of children’s book, including Spanish language books, as long as they are in good condition. The program is now in its 12th year and has collected more than 2 million books for pediatric patients, community centers, special schools and many more children in need.
Why donate a book?
Studies by the Institute of Education Sciences and related research show significant correlations between children’s access to printed materials in the home and literacy, as well as performance in school. Unfortunately, when money is tight, buying books can’t always be a priority for families struggling to make ends meet. Half Price Books feels that every child deserves a book of their own and is hosting the book drive to benefit local children who may otherwise not have access to books. Simply donating books that a child has outgrown provides the tools to create the leaders of tomorrow.
How does the annual Half Pint Library Book Drive work?
From February 15 through March 31, all Half Price Books locations serve as “drop off” sites to collect new and used young children’s books. Half Price Books employees then sort through the books to make sure that children will receive only quality new and gently-used books. The “Giveaway” events will be scheduled shortly after the conclusion of the drive, and Half Price Books will invite local nonprofit groups to come pick up the books.
How will the “Giveaway” event work?
Once a date and venue are set, local agencies and media will be contacted to announce that FREE children’s books donated by the community will be available for pick up during the event time, which will likely be a 2 to 3 hour window. Agencies must arrive with their own transportation to pick up books, and depending on the number of books collected, and number of agencies coming for pick up, boxes may be limited. The books will be an assortment of kid’s books in manageable boxes ready to be loaded. Agencies will not be able to sift through the boxes to “pick and choose.” The giveaway events will likely be in April or May, with dates and venues to be determined.
