40,000-book Giveaway to Keep Kids Reading this Summer

Metroparks Toledo, Toledo Federation of Teachers and partners are working together to give away 40,000 books as part of the American Federation of Teachers Reading Opens the World campaign.

Metroparks is seeking volunteers to help with preparations for a Family Literacy & Book Fair June 25. Volunteers interested in sorting books during the week of June 20 or assisting at the event June 25 can sign up by calling 419-407-9840.

More than 20 pallets of books for early readers through high school will be available at no cost to families and educators this summer in a variety of ways.

*   Books will be available at a Family Literacy & Book Fair, Saturday, June 25, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the future home of Glass City Enrichment Center, 815 Front Street. The event is sponsored by Metroparks Toledo, Toledo Federation of Teachers and the American Federation of Teacher’s Reading Opens the World campaign. Families can choose up to 10 books per child. Educators can select up to 40 books for their classrooms. School and community program staff must register in advance at www.firstbook.org/aft

*   Toledo Lucas County Public Library will distribute books through its Summer Reading program, Imagination Library outreach and many other library activities

*   Imagination Station will distribute books to Lucas County kids on Saturdays at the science center and through its Summer of STEAM program

Other organizations helping to distribute books include First Book, Mercy Health, Islamic Center of Northwest Ohio, HOPE Toledo, East Toledo Family Center, Connecting Kids to Meals and NAACP-Toledo Branch.

Additional information is available online at MetroparksToledo.com/bookfair

About Reading Opens the World

The American Federation of Teachers launched the Reading Opens the World campaign to spread the joy of reading by distributing one million FREE books to families’ home libraries, educators’ classrooms and to give educators and school staff the tools and professional development that translate the science of reading into usable resources to help students read and read well; and to provide parents and caregivers fun and research-based tips and tools to support literacy.

Already, the AFT has distributed more than 300,000 books and held 70 events across the country. For more information and resources, go to www.aft.org/read

About Glass City Enrichment Center

Glass City Enrichment Center, 815 Front Street, will repurpose a currently vacant building to serve the community as a consistent, safe, welcoming space. Metroparks Toledo and its partners plan for the Center to be an accessible, conveniently located facility for services such as workforce development, youth, wellness and other educational programs and services. Metroparks will use portions of the building for park district operations.