BookSpring “Reading is Fundamental” Program

Our Rotary Club provides volunteers to assist the librarian at Pecan Springs Elementary two times a year to hand out books to children and these books are theirs to own and keep, hence “forever books”. During RIF we also assist the librarian with storytime and read with the children. Members sign up for blocks of time over a three-day span. We will circulate the sign-up schedule about a month prior to each RIF date.

BookSpring Read Across Austin “Read-A-Thon”

We provide volunteers to help with various activities associated with the Read-A-Thon at the schools in Austin from counting out prizes, delivering prizes and materials to schools to delivering prizes won during the event.  More details will appear in our weekly newsletter the month before the Read-A-Thon, which is typically held in January and February each year.

Building Libraries in Mexico

Throughout the year, Rotary Austin members collect gently used books to send to Rotary clubs in Mexico to set up mini libraries. This usually occurs right before the Bi-District Conference held in September/October. 

Book Drives

Rotary members can set up book drives at their offices anytime during the year to collect gently used or new children’s books for ages infant to 12 years old.  These books go to city-owned clinics to be distributed to children of low-income families or to various schools partnering with the Rotary Club of Austin.  The Rotary Club of Austin also purchases many new English, Spanish and bi-lingual books to donate to young children in our community.

BookSpring Reach-Out-and-Read in Clinic – Book Deliveries

Rotarians pick up books from BookSpring partner, Half Price Books, and deliver books on a monthly basis to 24 assigned pediatric clinics in the Greater Austin area serving under-insured or uninsured families.  As part of a well child check-up, children are given a book to take home by their physician.  Parents are encouraged to support reading in the home with their children.