World Book Night: Looking For Volunteers To Give Away 1 Million Free Books

Ever heard of World Book Night? If not, you will. Because they want your help to give away free books.

WBN first launched in the UK last year. It takes place on April 23rd, a date designated by UNESCO as World Book Day. This is because it's the date when, in 1616, both Shakespeare and Cervantes died (though not actually the same day), as well being the date of a Catalan festival involving book giving.

However, World Book Night takes book giving to a whole new level - last year, 1 million free books were given out across the UK.

For the first time, it's coming to the US in 2012. Books by prominent authors, including Maya Angelou, Sherman Alexie, Dave Eggers, Patti Smith, Stephen King and Jodi Picoult will be handed out by volunteers around the country, to encourage people to read.

This non-profit organization aims to promote literacy and reading, and is supported by major players in the publishing industry. And this is where you come in: they're looking for 50,000 volunteers to pick up 20 free books each (for a total 1 million books) from their local bookstore, and commit to giving them away to non or light readers before the end of the night.

Click this link to apply - only the most convincing reasons will be allowed. "Because I haven't read those books yet" probably won't be enough.

Comments

[Bookseller]

06:27 PM on 03/02/2012

When World Book Night (WBN) was extended to the US, I was very excited. I am a reading teacher of adults AND bookseller of several years. I wanted to be a part of the celebration because I promote reading on a daily basis.

HOWEVER, after waiting for several weeks to notified if our bookstore was selected as a collection point, I sent an email to the WBN people asking why we had not been contacted one way or the other. Yesterday, I finally received word in an email our bookstore was disqualified because it is a USED bookstore! However, the man who sent the email did apologize for his lack of communication.

In quoting the World Book Night website, the concept of "spreading the love of reading, person to person", one would think the people involved would also welcome USED bookstores. USED bookstores promote reading just as any library or NEW bookstore would.

In addition, on the application form, NOTHING was said that used bookstores were NOT acceptable as collection points!

The idea that USED bookstores are disqualified if they have the word "used" in their name is unbelievable; on the other hand, the WBN has accepted USED bookstores who do not have "used" in their name!

I am very saddened that the people at WBN could decide to disqualify ANY USED bookstore!

[jan lonner]

06:00 AM on 12/24/2011

Nice list of free books online! Maybe you can add http://www.hotfreebooks.com/, with tons of free books to read onine, and a friendly interface.

[Karl Richard]

03:12 AM on 12/16/2011

So let me get this stright. They want me to buy books and give them to people who hardly read, in hopes they will read it? I am very much pro-reading but I just cannot get behind this idea. I will be buying books formyself, though, because I know I will read them. I can't say that of Random people.

[omk67]

02:20 PM on 12/15/2011

wait, I have to apply to volunteer to give away books? Y'all can duke it out...I'm gonna take some down from my shelf and hand them out in my neighborhood...

[greasefire11]

12:43 PM on 12/15/2011

This looks awesome!! Now to figure out how to get my students involved! =-)

[Elizabeth Tabler]

11:55 AM on 12/15/2011

All signed up. Please let the gods be merciful and pick me. I would love to share Enders, Hunger Games and the Stand.

[threnodymarch]

11:48 AM on 12/15/2011

This is a truly impressive program - I just applied! A lot of bookstores just closed in my area, so this would be a really nice occurrence in my neighborhood. I like the choices, too - a mix of literary fiction, non-fiction and outstanding picks from YA authors.

[greasefire11]

12:42 PM on 12/15/2011

Agreed! The diversity it great with some very popular books!

[2sunny]

10:58 AM on 12/15/2011

All signed-up & just gitty. Ready to roll! Books to expand ones universe!

[HannahaS]

10:27 AM on 12/15/2011

They also didn't mention that the books being given aren't really easy reads. While I've read many of them, I wouldn't recommend them for people who don't like to read.

[Cindy Sprigg]

06:17 PM on 12/14/2011

"World Book Night: Looking For Volunteers To Give Away 1 Million Free Books" : Someone forgot to mention in this post, that you have to live in the States to become a volunteer.

[HannahaS]

10:28 AM on 12/15/2011

Yes it does. If you want to volunteer for the UK one you have to live in the UK. Makes perfect sense.

[Cindy Sprigg]

02:30 PM on 12/15/2011

I live in Canada