Community Comes Together to Collect Books for Local Libraries

Ten books for every student is the goal of a Book Drive being coordinated by the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS), in partnership with the KCK Chamber of Commerce.

New and gently-used books, book gift cards and cash donations to purchase books are being sought to help build classroom libraries in every classroom in every school.

“Reading was the starting point for me in learning what was possible for my future. Donating books to our kids will give them the same opportunity to learn, explore and dream in their classrooms,” said Cindy Cash, President and CEO of the Kansas City, Kansas Chamber of Commerce.

The drive, scheduled to take place August 1-10, is part of the district’s “What Are You Reading?” initiative that focuses on creating programs, events, materials and conversations around reading.

“Reading is critical to our students’ success, and we want to do anything we can to enhance their reading skills and foster their love of reading,” said Dr. Cynthia Lane, superintendent of schools. “We are asking for the community’s support in talking to our students about reading, praising their reading and supporting their reading through donations of reading material.”

Several community organizations have offered their support to be collection sites for the Book Drive. Times and locations are as follows: 

  • KCK Chamber of Commerce, 1017 N. 6th, M-F, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • KCK Public Schools Central Office and Training Center, 2010 N. 59th St., M-F,        8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • KCK Fire Station #7, 2717 Strong Ave., every day, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • KCK Fire Station #6, 9548 State Ave., every day, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Rosedale Development Association, 1403 Southwest Blvd., 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • YMCA, 8601 Parallel Pkwy, (during regular business hours)
  • 8th Street YMCA, 900 N. 8th St. (during regular business hours) 

Also, as part of its annual Convocation on Tuesday, August 9 at Memorial Hall, KCKPS will be asking employees to bring new or gently-used books to donate to classrooms.

For more information on the “What Are You Reading” initiative, go to www.kckps.org/reading.

10 months ago