Last week, approximately 3,000 Read it Forward books were delivered to Smart Start of Central Oklahoma. These books will be distributed to local children and families through their programs and services. Thanks to Lupita Gonzalez, Shalla Strider, and Elisabeth White, as well as the rest of the SR22 Community and School Engagement subcommittee for their organization and communication work to arrange this annual Summer Reading-fueled donation.

Since 2015, Summer Reading program participants have used their reading power to fuel book donations in our community. When our annual community goal for Summer Reading is met, books provided by sponsors are donated to a pre-selected local charitable organization. These organizations must meet certain criteria and are carefully chosen by a committee of library staff. Because of the efforts of summer readers since 2015, nearly 25,000 books have been donated to Oklahoma County children and teens in need. 

This past summer, readers earned twelve million points by logging reading and completing literacy activities. Having a Read it Forward goal to work towards helps keep our tens of thousands of readers motivated and earning points all summer long.