Our Programs

🪝Hook a Book Summer REading Program

🐚Drop anchor at The Big Free Bookstore between May 30 and September 2 to reel in your reading log, point card, and officially register for the Hook a Book Summer Reading Program!
🐚Lil Fish (ages 0–8) earn one point for every book read with or to them, while Big Fish (ages 9–17) score a point for every 30 minutes they read.

🐚Track your catches on the reading log; when you hit 10 points, splash back for a stamp and choose a prize. Fill a log? Swap it for a fresh one and keep on hooking those books!
🐚Every time you reel in 10 points you can dive into our treasure chest to pick your prize. Achieve milestones for cool prizes along the way!

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Family Literacy Kits

The first five years of a child's life are crucial for their development, laying the groundwork for future learning and success. Our Family Literacy Kits program is dedicated to supporting families with children aged zero to five who are enrolled in home visitation programs. We believe that every child, regardless of their background, deserves the joy and benefits of early literacy.

Interested in Family Literacy Kits? Email partnerships@reachreads.org to learn more!

📚RAP SESSIONS (READ ALOUD PROGRAM)

At the heart of our community's future are its children, especially those facing the toughest of life's challenges. Our Read Aloud Program (RAP) empowers children and their families through stories, geared towards children aged 6 to 12. This program isn’t just about reading stories; it's about opening doors to new worlds and possibilities. Sessions can take place anywhere, and typically occur inside The Big Free Bookstore, local community events, and area homeless and domestic violence shelters.

Interested in being a RAP reader? Email volunteer@reachreads.org

🌱 GROWING READERS

In a world where education is the cornerstone of opportunity, our "Growing Readers" program stands as a testament to the power of shared knowledge and community spirit. This initiative is dedicated to distributing gently used books, completely free of charge, to children, families, and agencies, fostering a culture of literacy and learning in communities that need it most.

Need gently used books? Click Here

🍎 School House Rockin’ Teacher Resource Program

Our School House Rockin’ Teacher Resource program allows teachers, especially those in Title I schools, access to free gently loved books, new school supplies, and classroom sets of high interest books. Teachers can visit up to two times a week for gently used books and receive new book and classroom supplies once a month for their classroom. Email reach@reachreads.org if you’re interested in learning more!

Need books and supplies for your classroom? Click Here

Bulk Book Distribution

In our quest to make literacy accessible to all, the Bulk Book Distribution program by REACH plays a pivotal role. We understand that the power of a book extends far beyond its pages, and our mission is to ensure that this power reaches as many hands as possible. We work closely with a network of partner agencies in the area, providing them with new books at little to no cost. These agencies and programs, which qualify based on their commitment to literacy and community service, become conduits for spreading knowledge and joy through books.

Want to Partner? Click Here

The Big Free Bookstore

Imagine a place where the joy of reading is accessible to everyone, where the shelves are stocked with a treasure trove of stories waiting to be discovered. The Big Free Bookstore is exactly that - a welcoming space offering high-quality, new, and gently used books, with a special focus on children's literature, yet providing resources for every family member. Our bookstore is more than just a collection of books; it's a vibrant community hub. With resources spanning all ages, we ensure that the joy of literary exploration is a shared family experience. From the enchanting world of children's fairy tales to the thought-provoking realms of adult fiction and non-fiction, there's something for everyone.

Want to learn more? Click Here