Book'em
Programs
Budget
$75,000.00
Description
The Book Mobile is a brand new program for Book'em that launched in February 2024. It is a small bus that expands our reach to distribute free books (for ownership) to young people ages 0-18 in areas of Davidson County we don't already serve or have challenges accessing. This new program gives us another way to distribute books (for ownership) to underserved children at times of the year when school is not in session, giving access to books year round. We hope to incorporate literacy programming, such as read alouds, activities, etc., as well. It creates excitement and enthusiasm for reading because of its unique approach.
Program Successes
One boy said "This is the best day ever!" with a huge grin on his face as he left the bus with a bag of books he picked out for himself.
Beneficiaries
Families
Economically disadvantaged people
Children and Youth (0 - 19 years)
Short-term Success
We retrofitted the bus, made mechanical improvements, had it painted inside and outside, and it is operational. The bus out in the community to distribute books in all kinds of settings. We continue to work out kinks, make mechanical improvements, develop programming, purchase books, develop procedures, schedules, and guidelines, recruit volunteers, find a volunteer driver, and more. It's anticipated that the bus will be part of nearly 50 events in 2024. There is more demand for the bus than we can meet.
Program Success Monitored By
We track the number of requests, visits, books distributed, and seek anecdotal feedback for now. We're developing additional ways to monitor its success.
Program Areas Served
Davidson County
$75,000.00
Description
The Book Mobile is a brand new program for Book'em that launched in February 2024. It is a small bus that expands our reach to distribute free books (for ownership) to young people ages 0-18 in areas of Davidson County we don't already serve or have challenges accessing. This new program gives us another way to distribute books (for ownership) to underserved children at times of the year when school is not in session, giving access to books year round. We hope to incorporate literacy programming, such as read alouds, activities, etc., as well. It creates excitement and enthusiasm for reading because of its unique approach.
Program Successes
One boy said "This is the best day ever!" with a huge grin on his face as he left the bus with a bag of books he picked out for himself.
Beneficiaries
Families
Economically disadvantaged people
Children and Youth (0 - 19 years)
Short-term Success
We retrofitted the bus, made mechanical improvements, had it painted inside and outside, and it is operational. The bus out in the community to distribute books in all kinds of settings. We continue to work out kinks, make mechanical improvements, develop programming, purchase books, develop procedures, schedules, and guidelines, recruit volunteers, find a volunteer driver, and more. It's anticipated that the bus will be part of nearly 50 events in 2024. There is more demand for the bus than we can meet.
Program Success Monitored By
We track the number of requests, visits, books distributed, and seek anecdotal feedback for now. We're developing additional ways to monitor its success.
Program Areas Served
Davidson County
Budget
$400,000.00
Description
Book'em's Books for Nashville's Kids program provides books for children and teens who do not have any or many age-appropriate books of their own in their homes. We partner with agencies serving children in need and provide books to special events, classrooms, and anywhere the gift of a book can impact a child. Last year, Book'em furnished more than 100,000 books to children and teens through about 180 programs and organizations. Books are collected through in-kind and monetary donations from businesses, congregations, organizations, publishers, and individuals. Book'em greatly appreciates all those who donate books and money to purchase books.
Program Successes
Some feedback from two of our partners:
Our students are always thrilled on the book give away days. We give them out differently each time. Sometimes for winter break or summer break reading or sometimes to children who can't visit the bookfair! Their faces and reactions are priceless when we tell them they do not have to return them and they can start their own library shelf at home! It is a beautiful moment for all 700 students! Thank you for all each of you do to make this happen!
All of the new Habitat for Humanity homeowners receive books for their children. The kids are always excited and happily pose with their books for our photographers on dedication day.
The sheer joy on the faces of children as they get to "choose" books to take home and KEEP is a picture that I have framed in my heart! Book'Em puts books in kids' hands and the joy of reading that will stay with them for years to come!!
Category
Education - Literacy
Beneficiaries
Economically disadvantaged people
Children and Youth (0 - 19 years)
Long-term Success
Over the years, BFNK has grown from distributing 30,000 books to more than 100,000 annually. We're able to meet more of the demand in the Nashville community and work with many more different groups to get books into the hands of youth who need and want them.
Short-term Success
Year after year, we try to increase the quantity of books distributed, as well as the groups with whom we partner to do so, while maintaining the quality of the program. We have been successful in doing this most years.
Program Success Monitored By
We seek feedback from our partners to make sure that our services are meeting their needs. Some feedback comes from conversations we have one-on-one, some via email and some via survey requests.
Program Areas Served
161 Rains Ave, Nashville, TN 37203 - Davidson County
$400,000.00
Description
Book'em's Books for Nashville's Kids program provides books for children and teens who do not have any or many age-appropriate books of their own in their homes. We partner with agencies serving children in need and provide books to special events, classrooms, and anywhere the gift of a book can impact a child. Last year, Book'em furnished more than 100,000 books to children and teens through about 180 programs and organizations. Books are collected through in-kind and monetary donations from businesses, congregations, organizations, publishers, and individuals. Book'em greatly appreciates all those who donate books and money to purchase books.
Program Successes
Some feedback from two of our partners:
Our students are always thrilled on the book give away days. We give them out differently each time. Sometimes for winter break or summer break reading or sometimes to children who can't visit the bookfair! Their faces and reactions are priceless when we tell them they do not have to return them and they can start their own library shelf at home! It is a beautiful moment for all 700 students! Thank you for all each of you do to make this happen!
All of the new Habitat for Humanity homeowners receive books for their children. The kids are always excited and happily pose with their books for our photographers on dedication day.
The sheer joy on the faces of children as they get to "choose" books to take home and KEEP is a picture that I have framed in my heart! Book'Em puts books in kids' hands and the joy of reading that will stay with them for years to come!!
Category
Education - Literacy
Beneficiaries
Economically disadvantaged people
Children and Youth (0 - 19 years)
Long-term Success
Over the years, BFNK has grown from distributing 30,000 books to more than 100,000 annually. We're able to meet more of the demand in the Nashville community and work with many more different groups to get books into the hands of youth who need and want them.
Short-term Success
Year after year, we try to increase the quantity of books distributed, as well as the groups with whom we partner to do so, while maintaining the quality of the program. We have been successful in doing this most years.
Program Success Monitored By
We seek feedback from our partners to make sure that our services are meeting their needs. Some feedback comes from conversations we have one-on-one, some via email and some via survey requests.
Program Areas Served
161 Rains Ave, Nashville, TN 37203 - Davidson County
Budget
$200,000.00
Description
In late 2006, Reading Is Fundamental Nashville and Book'em merged to better serve children. Each RIF volunteer reads aloud and interacts with the students in their assigned elementary classroom five times a year. During these visits, they also bring new books for each child, so these children receive five new books for their homes. Each child selects his/her own book from a great variety of age- and reading-level appropriate books. Most of the books include parent reading tip sheets so parents have some guidance on how they can help their children develop a love of reading. The tip sheets are offered in English and 5 other languages.
RIF brings community volunteers into MNPS elementary schools that probably would not be there otherwise. It exposes students to role models that they would probably not meet otherwise. These volunteers encourage and motivate the students to develop their literacy skills for life-long success.
Program Successes
• Overall satisfaction rating with RIF program/experience from responding RIF volunteers: 4.83 out of 5 (96.5% of volunteers rated their satisfaction level as a 5).
• Responding teachers indicated that their students enjoyed receiving books: 4.98 out of 5 (99.6% rated this at a 5) and enjoyed having their RIF volunteer visit their classroom: 4.96 out of 5 (99.3% rated this at a 5).
Some comments from RIF teachers:
o "For most of the children in my class, Book'em provides the only opportunity for them to have ownership of a book. They carry them in their backpacks forever."
o "Our RIF volunteer is someone our students look up to. They look forward to being read to in an engaging manner when they visit."
o "Our reader was fantastic! My students cheered every time I told them that she was coming!"
o "Giving children books of their own is a powerful tool in making literacy important."
Beneficiaries
Children
Economically disadvantaged people
Long-term Success
Over the years, Book'em has added schools and classrooms to RIF and we always have a waiting list of schools that want the program. It's in high demand. Our RIF program is an important piece of our community's overall approach to improving literacy, because it incorporates motivating children, providing books they want to read and getting more adults involved.
Short-term Success
During the 2022-23 school year, volunteers were back in classrooms reading with students and helping them select new books for their home libraries. This continued in 2023-24 and 2024-25.
Program Success Monitored By
On a monthly basis, Reading Is Fundamental volunteers log how many books they distributed and how much time they volunteered through an online portal. Book'em tracks this information for each volunteer, classroom and school. Book'em surveys students, teachers, volunteers and literacy coaches to gather anecdotal and quantitative data to determine our outcomes and improvements that need to be made.
Program Areas Served
15 MNPS Title I Elementary Schools
$200,000.00
Description
In late 2006, Reading Is Fundamental Nashville and Book'em merged to better serve children. Each RIF volunteer reads aloud and interacts with the students in their assigned elementary classroom five times a year. During these visits, they also bring new books for each child, so these children receive five new books for their homes. Each child selects his/her own book from a great variety of age- and reading-level appropriate books. Most of the books include parent reading tip sheets so parents have some guidance on how they can help their children develop a love of reading. The tip sheets are offered in English and 5 other languages.
RIF brings community volunteers into MNPS elementary schools that probably would not be there otherwise. It exposes students to role models that they would probably not meet otherwise. These volunteers encourage and motivate the students to develop their literacy skills for life-long success.
Program Successes
• Overall satisfaction rating with RIF program/experience from responding RIF volunteers: 4.83 out of 5 (96.5% of volunteers rated their satisfaction level as a 5).
• Responding teachers indicated that their students enjoyed receiving books: 4.98 out of 5 (99.6% rated this at a 5) and enjoyed having their RIF volunteer visit their classroom: 4.96 out of 5 (99.3% rated this at a 5).
Some comments from RIF teachers:
o "For most of the children in my class, Book'em provides the only opportunity for them to have ownership of a book. They carry them in their backpacks forever."
o "Our RIF volunteer is someone our students look up to. They look forward to being read to in an engaging manner when they visit."
o "Our reader was fantastic! My students cheered every time I told them that she was coming!"
o "Giving children books of their own is a powerful tool in making literacy important."
Beneficiaries
Children
Economically disadvantaged people
Long-term Success
Over the years, Book'em has added schools and classrooms to RIF and we always have a waiting list of schools that want the program. It's in high demand. Our RIF program is an important piece of our community's overall approach to improving literacy, because it incorporates motivating children, providing books they want to read and getting more adults involved.
Short-term Success
During the 2022-23 school year, volunteers were back in classrooms reading with students and helping them select new books for their home libraries. This continued in 2023-24 and 2024-25.
Program Success Monitored By
On a monthly basis, Reading Is Fundamental volunteers log how many books they distributed and how much time they volunteered through an online portal. Book'em tracks this information for each volunteer, classroom and school. Book'em surveys students, teachers, volunteers and literacy coaches to gather anecdotal and quantitative data to determine our outcomes and improvements that need to be made.
Program Areas Served
15 MNPS Title I Elementary Schools
Budget
$15,000.00
Description
Read Me Day is an event highlighting the importance and fun of reading. Book'em partners with a Title I elementary school to be our spotlight school. The Read Me Day committee plans ways to help celebrate reading and books. In partnership with MNPS, Book'em coordinates two to four Read Me Day celebrations at different elementary schools throughout February and early March each year. During a school-wide assembly program, students showcase their enthusiasm for books and reading. Community members from many different walks of life attend the program then walk to their assigned classroom with the students to read to them. Every student selects a book to take home with them. The community volunteers have the opportunity to share their love of reading and see how excited the students are about books.
Program Successes
At the end of one of our Read Me Day celebrations, one student made this comment: "This is the BEST day ever!"
Beneficiaries
Children
Economically disadvantaged people
Long-term Success
MNPS asked us to expand this program to four schools instead of one a few years ago. We've been organizing Read Me Day celebrations for 30+ years and they are still in high demand. After COVID we opted to move to 2 school partners annually.
Short-term Success
Schools feel honored to be selected for this opportunity. Community members look forward to attending each year and recruit their colleagues to be part of it as well. Even during the pandemic in 2021, two schools partnered with Book'em to celebrate reading through virtual readers, drive through parades, book distributions, and more. In 2024, we were able to coordinate full Read Me Day celebrations at 2 MNPS Title I elementary schools with in-person guest readers for each classroom, 2 books for each student, and a school-wide assembly program.
Program Success Monitored By
We ask the schools and volunteers for anecdotal feedback.
Program Areas Served
Two-Four MNPS Title I Elementary Schools located throughout Davidson County
$15,000.00
Description
Read Me Day is an event highlighting the importance and fun of reading. Book'em partners with a Title I elementary school to be our spotlight school. The Read Me Day committee plans ways to help celebrate reading and books. In partnership with MNPS, Book'em coordinates two to four Read Me Day celebrations at different elementary schools throughout February and early March each year. During a school-wide assembly program, students showcase their enthusiasm for books and reading. Community members from many different walks of life attend the program then walk to their assigned classroom with the students to read to them. Every student selects a book to take home with them. The community volunteers have the opportunity to share their love of reading and see how excited the students are about books.
Program Successes
At the end of one of our Read Me Day celebrations, one student made this comment: "This is the BEST day ever!"
Beneficiaries
Children
Economically disadvantaged people
Long-term Success
MNPS asked us to expand this program to four schools instead of one a few years ago. We've been organizing Read Me Day celebrations for 30+ years and they are still in high demand. After COVID we opted to move to 2 school partners annually.
Short-term Success
Schools feel honored to be selected for this opportunity. Community members look forward to attending each year and recruit their colleagues to be part of it as well. Even during the pandemic in 2021, two schools partnered with Book'em to celebrate reading through virtual readers, drive through parades, book distributions, and more. In 2024, we were able to coordinate full Read Me Day celebrations at 2 MNPS Title I elementary schools with in-person guest readers for each classroom, 2 books for each student, and a school-wide assembly program.
Program Success Monitored By
We ask the schools and volunteers for anecdotal feedback.
Program Areas Served
Two-Four MNPS Title I Elementary Schools located throughout Davidson County
Budget
$20,000.00
Description
Ready for Reading places reading volunteers in MNPS Pre-K Centers that serve low-income families. Most volunteers read aloud one-on-one or with a small group of preschoolers about once a week. Volunteers attend an orientation training where they learn how to use the dialogic reading techniques to preschoolers. Research shows that this interactive method is very successful with this age group. Book'em also provides books for each child four times a year before each vacation break, so the students have books to read at home.
Program Successes
One of our regular reading volunteers needed to take some time off for health reasons. We offered to send a substitute in her place. She and her teacher made it clear to us that a sub was fine, but that they really wanted Ms. Brenda to come back asap. They are very attached to Ms. Brenda and vice versa.
Beneficiaries
Infants and Toddlers
Economically disadvantaged people
Long-term Success
We have been partnering with Cambridge Early Learning Center for several years. Each year we re-evaluate how we're doing to make sure that they want to continue with the partnership and they do. We added Ross Early Learning Center recently. In 2025, we plan to add Casa Azafran at their request.
Short-term Success
Ross wants to continue this partnership because they believe it is beneficial for their students. During the pandemic we had to put the program on hold. With help from an AmeriCorps Service Member, Ready for Reading was re-launched in January 2022 with both schools. Volunteers were also back in classrooms in January 2023 through May 2023 and will continue this coming school year. Casa Azafran requested that we add them to the program in 2025, while Cambridge opted out for this year because they have many community resources at the moment.
Program Success Monitored By
Each year we survey teachers and volunteers about the program and use the feedback to make improvements.
Program Areas Served
Ross Early Learning Center and Casa Azafran Early Learning Center
$20,000.00
Description
Ready for Reading places reading volunteers in MNPS Pre-K Centers that serve low-income families. Most volunteers read aloud one-on-one or with a small group of preschoolers about once a week. Volunteers attend an orientation training where they learn how to use the dialogic reading techniques to preschoolers. Research shows that this interactive method is very successful with this age group. Book'em also provides books for each child four times a year before each vacation break, so the students have books to read at home.
Program Successes
One of our regular reading volunteers needed to take some time off for health reasons. We offered to send a substitute in her place. She and her teacher made it clear to us that a sub was fine, but that they really wanted Ms. Brenda to come back asap. They are very attached to Ms. Brenda and vice versa.
Beneficiaries
Infants and Toddlers
Economically disadvantaged people
Long-term Success
We have been partnering with Cambridge Early Learning Center for several years. Each year we re-evaluate how we're doing to make sure that they want to continue with the partnership and they do. We added Ross Early Learning Center recently. In 2025, we plan to add Casa Azafran at their request.
Short-term Success
Ross wants to continue this partnership because they believe it is beneficial for their students. During the pandemic we had to put the program on hold. With help from an AmeriCorps Service Member, Ready for Reading was re-launched in January 2022 with both schools. Volunteers were also back in classrooms in January 2023 through May 2023 and will continue this coming school year. Casa Azafran requested that we add them to the program in 2025, while Cambridge opted out for this year because they have many community resources at the moment.
Program Success Monitored By
Each year we survey teachers and volunteers about the program and use the feedback to make improvements.
Program Areas Served
Ross Early Learning Center and Casa Azafran Early Learning Center
CEO/Executive Director/Board Comments
| One day while visiting in a classroom, I had the opportunity to observe this learning. The volunteer read the title of the book and the author's name. She then asked the children, 'What does the author do?' 'Writes the book,' they shouted. Then she read the name of the illustrator and asked, 'What does the illustrator do?' 'Draws the pictures,' the children answered in their outside voices. This was obviously not her first visit with these little ones. They then listened intently to the story, and excitedly chose another when that one was finished. Most children are eager to learn and most of them love books. It is important that we fuel that desire to learn and love books so they continue to develop their literacy skills - even when it might be a little hard. Yet, our books and reading volunteers offer encouragement, excitement and support. They really can make a difference to a child. |
