“Literacy should not be a privilege; it should be a right”.

– Little Library

Today, many families and children do not have access to books or resources that many of us are fortunate to have access to, especially at the library. Therefore, in collaboration with Little Library, Vaughan Public Libraries will be running a Children’s Book Drive from October 1^st – 31^st. At all of our libraries, public and staff are encouraged to drop off new and gently used English children’s books – picture books, chapter books, graphic novels, and board books.   

These books will be sent to underserved communities here in Canada, and particularly to support the Indigenous communities. Collected books will be given to the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto (NCCT) and their EarlyON program to distribute books for young children across Ontario. Additionally, we’re working with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) and their youth education program to distribute books for older children and teens. The goal is to collect over 10,000 books to be distributed to these organizations. It’s a big ask, but we are a big library system. Let’s make it happen! 

I’ll leave you with a quote from Aanand Bajaj, the founder of Little Library:

“This book drive helps address that gap by getting quality books directly into the hands of Indigenous children and youth. We’re thankful to Vaughan Public Libraries for supporting this effort to promote equity in literacy.”