1200 Gest Street
Cincinnati, OH 45203
Queen City Book Bank Program
Grant Application:
The QCBB
program is providing an innovative solution to a critical literacy resource gap
in our community. The current fragmented book distribution efforts reach a
small percentage of at-risk children. Availability of books are often
unpredictable based on grant cycles and community interest. While book drives
provide a high volume of books, they are not curated for the recipient
school/program and cannot yield multiple classroom copies. This method lacks
functional efficiencies and ignores the voice from the readers and teachers. To
accomplish this, we established an online portal to receive, sort and
distribute books to the 35,000 Greater Cincinnati students in grades K-6 who
lack consistent access to books. QCBB's model allows designated users to access
the portal and select books of interest to their child/students at an
appropriate reading level.
Goals/Objectives:
The original application was to support our new curated Book Distribution Program. However this funding was granted with the restriction to support the continued growth of our Little Free Libraries program, with the opportunity to apply for the new program next cycle (January 2023). Thus, I will share progress on both programs on the following pages.
The goals on the original application were:
-Our goal is to reach between 1,500-2,000 students with this program. Each student in the program will receive 10 new books per year beginning the 2022-2023 academic year.
-In addition to their book, each month we provide a supplemental item: a bookmark, a letter of encouragement or a reward for reading so well-something that hopefully helps inspire their love for reading!
Addition items we will accomplish annually at the QCBB include:
-Engage at least 500 volunteers annually to support book distribution efforts
-Engage at least 1,000 tutors annually for adults and children who struggle with illiteracy
-Share Impact stories of how the QCBB efforts positively affect those students served
Grant Evaluation Report:
Our new physical space has allowed us to expand in ways we never imagined. The partnerships and program growth we have experienced the past year is just the beginning of our work. We have connected with more teachers, volunteers, partners and community members in need of books and literacy services.
We have exponentially increased book distribution to those in need and continued our legacy adult and children’s tutoring. We will continue to listen to our teachers and families and work to fit our programming to those needs. By combining listening, people power and experience, we are truly placing our mission at the forefront of our work each day.
We will continue to work to provide a multi-faceted approach to enhance community-based outreach, literacy support and book sources, so that efforts focus on creating reading cultures within neighborhoods. LFLs are just one form of outreach. Examples of our other multiple touchpoints include:
Curated Book Distribution
Volunteer Tutors (Adult and Children)
Outreach Events
Promote Resources (Imagination Library, public library, etc.)
Community Book Giveaway Days
Author and Special Guests Promote Reading
Promote Volunteerism
Summer resourcing
Work with Cradle to Career to Strategically Identify Community Needs
While it is challenging to isolate the impact of book access, we work to measure beyond volumetric results. We rely on volunteer stewards to communicate LFL stories and provide feedback on program needs. With our new facility, it has been wonderful to be able to curate the used books so stewards can request books. For example, a new baby is next door, we need board books or all of the easy chapter books are going quick. Here are a few recent examples of LFLs in action:
-Grandparent: "When I was young, going to the library was my favorite Saturday thing to do. I learned it can take you anywhere you want. My granddaughters, 10 and 6, have learned that from me. They really enjoy reading and are trying hard. We will keep at it and I'll pick up a book anywhere to help them through this life. Keep doing what you're doing, we appreciate you!" Another grandparent thanked us for providing books that look like her granddaughter because the characters were diverse.
-Steward: "I had just filled up the LFL one day, brimming full, when a mom came across the street from Kroger. Despite hands full of bags and a baby in her arms, she opened the LFL and squealed. She pulled out an ABC book I had dropped off and said to her little one, "Look at your new alphabet book!" as she started to turn the pages. My heart swelled to be part of that moment and I nearly cried as I got in my car."
I give the program a 4 because we know there is room for growth and maximizing impact as we grow. Thank you for joining us on this journey!
Results:
Book Distribution Program actual results thus far this FY (7/1/22 to date):
QCBB is continuing with the four initial locations (Carson, Roberts, LEAP and Cincinnati Parent Empowerment Network) this year, and added second grade and five additional schools: Hays Porter, Latonia, Lincoln Heights, Oyler, and St. Francis Seraph. Thus, we are currently providing 10 new books this school year, selected from our online inventory by teachers to: 9 schools, 62 classes and approximately 1,355 students.
LFL Results to date: The Little Free Library program has continued to grow and thrive in and around Greater Cincinnati-totaling 154 libraries installed and in use and another 46 to go. Since the founding of our LFL program in 2018, we have distributed over 130,000 gently used books.