2025-26 Books Kids Want to Read Program

Now in its fourth year, the Oakland Literacy Coalition Books Kids Want to Read grant program offers school librarians the chance to update their collections with new titles that reflect students’ interests, languages, and identities.  Most schools do not have dedicated funds to replace lost or damaged books or to purchase new titles.

The grant review committee met on Feb. 11 to provide $100k to 30 elementary and 11 middle school libraries. Awards ranged from $1,000 – $3,000 for: Allendale, Bella Vista, Bridges Academy, Brookfield Village, Carl B Munck, Cleveland, Emerson, Esperanza, Fruitvale, Garfield, Glenview, Global Family, Greenleaf, Highland, Hoover, Horace Mann, International, Joaquin Miller, Lincoln, Lockwood STEAM, Manzanita, Markham, Martin Luther King, Montclair, Oakland Academy of Knowledge, Peralta, Reach, Sequoia, Think College Now, Melrose Leadership Academy, Bret Harte, Claremont, Edna Brewer, Elmhurst, Frick, Life, Montera, Roosevelt, Westlake, Coliseum College Prep, and West Oakland Middle School.

Librarians have already started shopping so students can begin borrowing their new books over spring break.

A huge thank you to Stephen and Ayesha Curry’s Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation for its steadfast support for elementary schools. The Foundation works to ensure all Oakland elementary school students have the support and resources to become proficient readers by the end of third grade.

Middle school grants, new this year, were powered by VSP Vision Care. Middle school libraries serve as safe, engaging spaces for inquiry-based learning, bridging the gap between classroom curriculum and independent, lifelong learning for young adolescents. We are grateful to VSP Vision for their partnership in launching our middle school series.

Congratulations to this year’s awardees!