Since 2015, Summer Reading participants have used their reading power to fuel book donations in our community. When we meet our community goal, bonus books are donated to a pre-selected local charitable organization.  

Summer Reading is the biggest program the library does every year and has a huge impact on the community. Having a Read it Forward goal to work towards helps keep our tens of thousands of readers motivated and earning points all summer long.  

Nearly 30,000 books have been donated to Oklahoma County children and teens in need from the Read it Forward initiative.  

This year’s recipient is the Regional Food bank of Oklahoma, leading the fight against hunger in 53 counties in central and western Oklahoma. We had over 17,000 participants join together to earn 13,146,809 points, which means we exceeded our community goal! Thank you to everyone who made this possible.  

Last Wednesday (9/27), staff members met up at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, delivering 4,500 free books! These books will be distributed to local children and families through their programs and services. Having access to books and reading materials are keys to early literacy and school success. 

Previous Read it Forward recipients include: Ronald McDonald House, Oklahoma Messages Project, Special Care, Citizens Caring for Children, Apartment Association of Central Oklahoma, Bethel Foundation, YWCA, Sunbeam Family Services, Faithworks of the Inner City, Mary Mahoney Community Health Center, Sisu Youth Services, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City Indian Clinic, Catholic Charities Sanctuary Women's Development Center, Palomar, RestoreOKC, and Smart Start of Central Oklahoma.  

Thank you to everyone for your hard work this summer! Together, we are making a difference in our community!