Bring Back Books
We’ve all been there—signing school fundraiser forms, buying $24 rolls of wrapping paper we don’t need, finishing off the chocolate-covered almonds before they’re even sold (guilty!). It’s all part of showing up for our schools and our communities.
But here’s something I didn’t know until recently—and maybe you didn’t either: those fundraisers almost never reach the school libraries, which are folding faster than laundry. The remaining ones are clinging on with a dusty shelf of outdated books kids can’t connect with. Isn’t that crazy? Schools were literally built for reading and writing. What happened to the reading part?
“School libraries are disappearing—and kids are paying the price.”
Annie Kidder
(People for Education)
1 in 3 schools has no dedicated library space. Budget cuts have left thousands of students without access to a proper library.
The average age of school library books is over 20 years. Students are reading books published with outdated information and unrelatable characters.
“Without fresh books, we’re starving young minds.”
Dr. Carol Koechlin (Canadian School Libraries)
Only 17% of schools have a full-time, teacher-librarian—despite evidence that they improve literacy, critical thinking, and student success.
1 in 2 schools have no library budget at all. This means no money for new books, technology, or even repairs to shelving.
Reading boosts focus, vocabulary, and emotional intelligence, while too much screen time has been linked to shorter attention spans and delayed language skills.
As rooms are repurposed into classrooms or tech labs, libraries are often downsized to a shelf in a hallway or a corner of a busy room.
Introducing
READ IT FORWARD
In one sentence:
“Hey, wanna sponsor a few books for a school—with your name printed inside each one for thousands of kids and parents to see, year after year?”
The READ IT FORWARD goal is to place 30,000+ books into school libraries across Canada - city by city, province by province.
Each sponsored book will:
Be gifted to a school. No student left behind.
Include a heartfelt message of support from people like you.
Live on bookshelves, reaching thousands of families for years to come
"I am committed to getting books into schools.Your generous sponsorship covers printing, packaging, shipping, coordination, and delivery. every step handled personally to ensure each book reaches the hands of a student who needs it."
KR Lilac
It's easy for businesses to jump in at a level that feels right—and still make a big difference.
Library Lifter
($200)
Sponsor books for 5 schools. Each copy includes your business name printed inside as the official donor.
Chapter Champion
($520)
Go bigger and reach 10 schools—20 books with your business name and message of support for youth literacy.
Book Beacon
($1200)
Expand your reach to 30+ schools, with optional customization by region or demographic.
Legacy Builder
($2400+)
Help bring books to hundreds of schools and communities across the country. This level comes with expanded reach and premium visibility—featured acknowledgment in campaign materials and the opportunity to shape a region-wide impact strategy.
Get in touch directly and we’ll work together to craft something meaningful and aligned with your company’s vision.
Thank You for Being Part of Read It Forward
Your support helps put inspiring books into the hands of students—and back onto the shelves of school libraries that need them most.
P.S. When you complete your sponsorship, don’t worry—I’ll collect your name at checkout so we can include it right inside the book, where kids and families will see your generosity for years to come.
QUESTIONS? I'M HAPPY TO CHAT!