During the entire month of March, the Weinberg Foundation and its many incredible Library Project partners are hosting the sixth annual community-wide Book Drive in support of the Baltimore Elementary and Middle School Library Project. Now with 13 renovated spaces in Baltimore City, the Baltimore Library Project is a multi-year, collaborative effort to design, build, equip, and staff new or renovated elementary/middle school libraries in selected schools where existing funds can be leveraged.
The Weinberg Foundation has committed $10 million, of the total $30 million project investment, to build or transform up to 24 Baltimore City Public Schools libraries in an effort to strengthen academic achievement among students. By the fall of 2017, the Library Project will be serving approximately 6,000 students or 10 percent of the total number of students, pre-kindergarten through grade eight, in all of Baltimore City Public Schools.
Just looking at the “before” and “after” pictures below, you can see how extensive the transformations are. But construction is just one part of the story. The renovated libraries contain thousands of new books along with the latest in learning technologies and operational support. To make this magic happen, however, we need your help!
Did you know that for just $8 we can put a brand new, hardcover children’s book on the shelf of our newest partner school—Francis Scott Key Elementary/Middle (coming fall 2017)? This year, a new donation platform will allow you to contribute to the Book Drive, throughout the month of March, in three different ways: by visiting www.baltimorelibraryproject.org and clicking Donate, by texting bookdrive17 to 41444, or on the Weinberg Foundation’s Facebook page.
Looking for other ways to get involved? In Baltimore, collection bins will be available at select businesses, organizations, and schools (including our Foundation). All you have to do is place new, hardcover children’s books inside the bins, and we can take care of the rest. Or involve your entire company/organization in a “dress down day” for books—an opportunity for staff members to dress casually in exchange for a new, hardcover children’s book or monetary donation. The options are endless, and all will help make a significant difference in the life of a Baltimore City student.
To learn more about the Book Drive, or to participate in the event, visit www.baltimorelibraryproject.org.
