In 2017, Book Trust began conversations with the School District of Philadelphia (SDP) to bring the national nonprofit’s book access and ownership program into local schools. With the shared goal of enhancing early learning and literacy opportunities for Philadelphia students, Book Trust piloted its program at select schools throughout the SDP.

Students in a Philadelphia classroom smile and hold up their new Book Trust books.
Overbrook Elementary School in 2018

Nearly 50,000 books were added to personal libraries in Philadelphia during the pilot. According to teachers who participated, the program was a valuable addition to their language arts curriculum. “The impact is immeasurable!” one teacher shared in a survey following the 2018-19 school year. “I already see how much they treasure their books, and the desire to read that it inspires within them has been clearly evident in my classroom this year.”

Following the pilot, Book Trust expanded to serve 10,448 students in 38 elementary schools during the 2019-2020 school year. This includes support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic when the Book Trust team rapidly pivoted the program to provide new delivery options and focus on family engagement. Books were delivered to teacher and student homes, along with food distribution sites. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Book Trust returned to schools with the students in 2021 and expanded to serve 55 schools in the SDP.

Since 2018, Book Trust has partnered with the SDP to support more than 52,000 students in choosing and owning 887,246 books! The partnership continued in 2024-25 with more than 50 schools participating, and Book Trust remains committed to serving Philadelphia students in the years to come.

“I thank Book Trust for partnering with the School District of Philadelphia to encourage literacy at home by putting books directly in the hands of students,” said Tony B. Watlington, Sr., Ed.D., Superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia. “Improving literacy is a top priority of the District’s five-year strategic plan, Accelerate Philly, since we know when students are skilled readers by the end of third grade, they are more likely to graduate high school. This collaboration fosters early literacy skills by providing grade-level appropriate books to students, to support accelerating academic achievement.”

A student in a Philadelphia classroom sits at a desk and writes their name in their new Book Trust book.
Francis Scott Key School in 2024

Book Trust maintains a deep commitment to being part of the larger effort in Philadelphia to create the conditions for literacy-rich spaces in and out of school.

“We are immensely proud of Book Trust’s impact in Philadelphia over the last few years. In partnership with the SDP and funders in Pennsylvania, nearly one million books have been added to personal libraries.” says Book Trust President and CEO Patience Peabody. “There’s more work to do and we are here for it. Plans are underway for continued support of Philadelphia students in 2025-26 and beyond.”

Contact us to learn more about partnership opportunities for your school or district!