The Facts

Where you live shouldn’t determine whether or not you get access to books. However, the sad truth is that it does. Did you know:

• More than 1 in 10 public schools in the U.S. don’t have a school library

• Roughly 8,830 public schools nationwide have no library

• In NYC, over 60% of schools lack a functioning library

Higher rates of schools without libraries exist in charter, high poverty, and urban schools mostly due to funding disparities and budget cuts. In fact, studies have shown that in high poverty areas, children have access to far fewer books at school than students in wealthier communities.

Access to books matters. Studies show that kids who grow up with fewer books have a harder time reading at grade level, and more than 25 millions kids in the United States aren’t reading proficiently. It’s time to give kids books they’re excited about reading.

BOOKED isn’t just about books- it’s about equity. Everyone deserves the same resources, regardless of zip code. Help us build libraries, one book at a time, for the millions of young Americans who don’t have the same chance as others to get lost in a book or take pride in owning a school library card.