A region-wide, independent collaboration to encourage early childhood literacy, Read to Me! has been a ready source of new or gently-used children’s books for nearly 22 years.
Historically, a once-per-year children's book drive occurred. Read to Me ABQ! Network recognizes that the need for books exists year-round and efforts to both collect and distribute children's books is ongoing throughout the year.
There may be specific drives run by member company supporters, as well as other time specific activities. Those activities will be showcased on this website and on the Read to Me! ABQ Network Facebook site.
For the second year in a row, the team will be supported by students from eight different Albuquerque High Schools to collect thousands of new and gently used children's books.
Several local businesses continue to support this effort, now in it's 21st year. Due to the continuing pandemic there are fewer physical locations for the public to drop off books leading to an increased focused on financial donations. With donated funds, the network is able to partner with local book stores and distributors to purchase new books at reduced costs.
The book drive continues to request support of bilingual books in English/Spanish and English/other languages. The network is also purchasing bilingual books that include several Native American languages to support our tribal areas within New Mexico.
Since the city-wide launch, almost 575,000 books have been collected. Most books are provided to Title 1 schools and learning centers whose students and families needed them most. Other distribution locations include laundromats, little free libraries, drive-thru food pantry sites, neighborhood associations and community centers. Tens of thousands of books have been loaded onto city buses and the Railrunner. Efforts continue to extend beyond the Albuquerque area with additional book donations going to many tribal areas.
Historically, a once-per-year children's book drive occurred. Read to Me ABQ! Network recognizes that the need for books exists year-round and efforts to both collect and distribute children's books is ongoing throughout the year.
There may be specific drives run by member company supporters, as well as other time specific activities. Those activities will be showcased on this website and on the Read to Me! ABQ Network Facebook site.
For the second year in a row, the team will be supported by students from eight different Albuquerque High Schools to collect thousands of new and gently used children's books.
Several local businesses continue to support this effort, now in it's 21st year. Due to the continuing pandemic there are fewer physical locations for the public to drop off books leading to an increased focused on financial donations. With donated funds, the network is able to partner with local book stores and distributors to purchase new books at reduced costs.
The book drive continues to request support of bilingual books in English/Spanish and English/other languages. The network is also purchasing bilingual books that include several Native American languages to support our tribal areas within New Mexico.
Since the city-wide launch, almost 575,000 books have been collected. Most books are provided to Title 1 schools and learning centers whose students and families needed them most. Other distribution locations include laundromats, little free libraries, drive-thru food pantry sites, neighborhood associations and community centers. Tens of thousands of books have been loaded onto city buses and the Railrunner. Efforts continue to extend beyond the Albuquerque area with additional book donations going to many tribal areas.
