Over 2,700 K-2 students head into summer with new books, thanks to BookFest
Students at Dorena Elementary selecting books during BookFest.
As of last Friday, June 9, over 2,700 K-2 students now have brand new books as they head into summer, thanks to a community-wide book gifting program called BookFest.
Started six years ago by Connected Lane County and United Way of Lane County, BookFest aims to inspire a love of reading for students and prevent the “summer slide” – when students lose important reading skills they’ve gained during the school year.
Increasing students’ access to books is one crucial way to help improve reading scores. Given the most recent English Language Arts state assessment showing that 60% of Lane County students aren’t reading proficiently by the end of third grade, BookFest is one important way to support young readers. Data shows that when students aren’t reading proficiently by third grade, they are four times less likely to graduate on time.
Between May 25 and June 9, over 2,700 students at 19 schools participated in BookFest, getting to choose five brand new books to take home to build their home libraries. Participating schools spanned Eugene 4J, Bethel, Springfield, South Lane, Oakridge, Lowell, and Mapleton school districts. Each year, schools are selected based on where students have the most opportunity to improve reading scores.
Two Two Rivers/Dos Rios Elementary students hold up their favorite books they got from BookFest.
“The joy and excitement found within the stories of a book can have a profound impact on improving reading levels. When children are genuinely thrilled about a book they chose, their engagement soars and leads to greater reading proficiency. With BookFest, we work to harness the power of self-selection and cultivate a love for reading in young learners.”
Over 45 community volunteers helped at distribution events. Evy Hernandez is a Springfield Education Foundation board member and volunteered with of the BookFest events.
“It was so sweet and heartwarming to see the children come into the library excited to know that they will receive books they would take home and keep for “ever and ever,” as they said. It was even more fulfilling to see them browse through the tables trying to decide which books to pick. This program is having a deep impact in keeping the children interested in reading books that will enrich their lives in so many ways. Thank you for your generous investment in the future of our children.”
Volunteers all holding up books they’d like to read during Two Rivers/Dos Rios Elementary’s BookFest distribution event.
“Dear BookFest team,” wrote one student at Maple Elementary, “thank you for my new books. We love your books you got for us we love the books I was so excited I wanted to hug all the air out of you. I feel bad for you for spending all that money I would love give you all my money. Well have a great day!”
A BookFest volunteer and two Spring Creek Elementary students pause while reading their book to smile for the camera.
Books were purchased with funds raised by community members and sponsors, including the Eugene Education Foundation, Springfield Education Foundation, Bethel Education Foundation, Lane Education Foundation, SELCO Community Credit Union, OCCU Foundation, The Duck Store, and Jase Simmons, Simmons Capital Management, LLC.
As a community-wide effort, BookFest is not possible without donors, sponsors, and volunteers. Those interested in learning more and participating can learn more at www.unitedwaylane.org/bookfest.
“As a Springfield Education Foundation board member, I volunteered with BookFest and was both impressed and quite moved to see the impact this program has in supporting early literacy in our local schools. Students were excited to have the opportunity to choose five books from a wide variety of stories, and even more excited to know that they were allowed to keep them as their very own. The students were paging through their books and reading them before they even left the event. What a fantastic way to encourage summer reading!”
A BookFest volunteer helps a student choose a book at McCormack Elementary in Eugene.
Students at McCormack Elementary sit down to read their new books they received through BookFest.
A Two Rivers/Dos Rios Elementary student holds up the book he is most excited to read, a Black Panther graphic novel, during BookFest.
A thank-you note gifted to the United Way team from a Maple Elementary Student.
Students at Spring Creek Elementary look at books during BookFest.
Another Two Rivers/Dos Rios Elementary student holds up the book she is most excited to read - Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Big Shot.