Events

• Read Across Philadelphia 2007
  For the past six years, PHILADELPHIA READS has hosted the city's Read Across Philadelphia Day Celebration. Read Across Philadelphia Day, which is in line with the nationwide event Read Across America Day, celebrates the birthday and legacy of Theodore Guisel, better known as Dr. Seuss. March 2nd, 2007 will mark the beloved author's 103rd birthday. To celebrate, approximately 500 business, civic and education leaders will read to students at Philadelphia Schools throughout the week of February 27th, 2007.
  
  We encourage you to pick a day during this week to join students in the reading celebration. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to inspire a group of children to read, impart your love of reading onto others, and just simply to have a great time. If you are interested in spreading the spirit of Dr. Seuss, please contact Sarah Galbally at (215) 851-1845. In the words of Dr. Seuss, "You're never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child."
  
  
• Annual Citywide Reading Olympics May 7, 2007
  This May, 100 teams from all over the city will come together for the 2007 Reading Olympics. This event encourages students to share an enthusiasm for reading, to collaborate through teamwork, and to engage in a citywide competition. Teams of six to twelve students in grades fourth through sixth collectively read and discuss 20 books. In the spring, they will meet at Regional Olympics to answer random questions about the stories. Without a doubt, this event excites children about reading, exercises comprehension skills and brings children, teachers and families together to celebrate literacy.
  
  This year, the Reading Olympics is open to teams of students from public schools, parochial schools, private schools, libraries, after-school programs, and youth groups that can meet the team and competition requirements. The Reading Olympics is sponsored, in partnership, by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, The Free Library of Philadelphia, the School District of Philadelphia, and PHILADELPHIA READS.
  
  To learn more about this exciting event, visit:  http://www.libraries.phila.k12.pa.us/readingolympics  
  
  
• The PHILADELPHIA READS Book Bank
  On October 3, 2005 PHILADELPHIA READS opened the doors to its brand new book bank at Martin Luther King High School. Previously housed at the Municipal services building, the Book Bank closed in October 2004 after PHILADELPHIA READS moved to the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition building at 1207 Chestnut Street. Because of space constraints, PHILADELPHIA READS had to look for a new location to house the new and gently used children's books collected through book drives and donations.
  
  Foundations, Inc. and Martin Luther King High School graciously provided a wonderful space for this resource room. The new Book Bank can house up to 100,000 children's books at any time, twice as many as the old Book Bank. Rhonda Lauer, Chief Executive Officer of Foundations, Inc., was instrumental in setting up the Book Bank at Martin Luther King High School.
  
  Ikea Conshohocken and Ikea Philadelphia donated book shelves, chairs and tables, and a curtain wall to make this space much more than a warehouse for books.
  
  The Book Bank is open every Wednesday from 2:30 to 4:30pm, and houses new and gently used children's books, preschool through 8th Grade. This resource is available to schools, community centers, and faith-based organizations in Philadelphia that offer literacy support programs. Teachers and program administrators with school or program identification can come as often and take as many books as they need for free.
  
  PHILADELPHIA READS is looking for businesses and schools to host book drives. We can provide you with book collection bins and can pick up the books. We accept new and gently used books for children in Preschool through 8th grade. Please do not donate adult books, magazines, encyclopedias or workbooks. New supplies such as notebooks, crayons and pencils are accepted.
  
  For more information on obtaining or donating books, please contact PHILADELPHIA READS at (215) 851-1748.
  
  
• Volunteers Needed
  PHILADELPHIA READS is currently looking for volunteers to work with struggling readers and writers at Philadelphia schools and after school programs. All volunteers must commit to at least one hour a week. Sites are located throughout the city. For information about training and to receive a packet, submit a volunteer form here.