School Library Partnerships - Oakland Literacy Coalition

Starting January 2022, the Oakland Literacy Coalition’s School Library Partnerships program is the new home of the work founded and formerly led by Friends of Oakland Public School Libraries (FOPSL).

We support and advocate for Oakland’s public school libraries. 

The Challenge

  • 66%

    OUSD students not reading at grade-level

  • 29%

    OUSD libraries are closed

Our Response

  • $300,000

    Donated to support OUSD school libraries since 2012

  • 3,050

    Books donated so far in 2022

 

How We Work to Support School Libraries

We are committed to expanding and improving library services in Oakland public schools.

Fundraising & Grants for Libraries

We support OUSD libraries with book, technology and library program grants.

Libraries need new books to stay relevant and appealing, but schools do not have sufficient money for new books.

Our Elaine Wells Books Kids Want to Read Program helps libraries replace lost and worn books, buy books students request and buy new books from popular series.

OUSD Digital Library

Fundraising and promotion for the OUSD Digital Library

The OUSD Digital Library (Sora) provides an essential literacy tool on an on-going basis, because it allows students to select books to read every day, including days when school is not open and
school libraries are not available.

FOPSL worked with OUSD to launch the Digital Library in 2020 and provides ongoing fundraising and awareness building for the program.

Visit OUSD Digital Library

Library Book Donation Program

Collecting & processing book donations

We secure donations of new and gently used library-quality books, process them, and deliver them shelf-ready to school library staff to add to their collections. This program, also know as Libib, has donated nearly 5,000 books since its inception in 2020.

Library Volunteering

If you love school libraries...

We would love to work with you!

Our skilled, fun and friendly group of volunteers help school library staff with inventories, shelving, shelf-reading, book repair, covering as well as cataloging.

No experience is necessary!

Why School Libraries Matter

School libraries are essential for our students to learn, thrive, and succeed.

School Libraries Build Literacy

Research demonstrates that a critical way to build literacy is access to books. School libraries are more accessible than public libraries, because they are right down the hall.

Student-Focused

The library is where students are encouraged to follow their own interests and drive their own learning.

College & Career Readiness

How will students navigate college libraries if they’ve gone from kindergarten through senior year without access to a school library?

Educational Equity

74% of Oakland students are living in poverty. The absence of school libraries most deeply affects students living in poverty.

Donate to Support School Libraries 

Your donations are vital to our work supporting, advocating, and bringing additional books and resources to Oakland’s public school libraries.

If you would prefer to donate to support school libraries via check, please make it out to the Oakland Literacy Coalition and write “School Library Partnerships” in the memo line. Please mail checks to our office: 2744 E 11th Street, Suite A10, Oakland CA 94601.

Make a Donation To Support School Libraries

Become a Sustaining Supporter 

Monthly donations are essential for sustaining our work and programs. As a sustaining supporter, you’ll be part of our virtual book club and receive recommendations from the Oakland Literacy Coalition community on the books that we are currently reading and loving!

Become a Sustaining Supporter
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