Books for the Black Belt 

"A student that is not reading at the 3rd-grade level by the end of 3rd grade is four times less likely to finish high school. Today we have only 35 percent of our 3rd graders that are proficient in reading at grade level."

Source: Governor Kay Ivey, 2018
Today, Alabama's Black Belt includes some of the poorest counties in the United States.  Along with high rates of poverty, declining populations and high unemployment, poor access to educational resources is a major concern for the future of K-12 students in this region.  The primary goal of the University’s campaign is to provide one book for each child in the Black Belt counties -- more than 30,000 books!  Please contact Sally Brown 205-348-8344 or uced@ua.edu for more information. 

2019 Books for the Black Belt Campaign 

​The University of Alabama Center for Economic Development (UACED) wrapped up the 14th annual Books for the Black Belt book drive in February. The month long book drive ran from January 21-February 18 and partnered with College of Human and Environmental Sciences, Culverhouse College of Business, Honors College,  Mildred Westervelt Warner Transportation Museum, Tuscaloosa Public Library, UA Sororities and University Libraries. Through the placement of collection bins around campus and donations from UA faculty, staff, students, and members of the community- 4,813 new and gently used books were collected. UACED staff will be traveling to 8 counties in the Black Belt including Bullock, Choctaw, Dallas, Greene, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, and Perry to deliver the books to various schools in the county school system. 

Campaign Impact 

  • 2019 collected and distributed over 4,800 books to 11 schools in 8 counties 
  • 2018 collected and distributed over 5,000 books to 12 schools in 6 counties
  • 2017 collected and distributed over 16,000 books to 53 schools in 13 counties
  • 2016 collected and distributed over 9,500 books to 40 schools in 10 counties

What kind of books are appropriate to donate?

The short answer is any classic literature texts and other award-winning schoolbooks (fiction and non-fiction) often available on public school library shelves and included on recognized reading lists, including the Accelerated Reader program. 

Reference lists for appropiate books

School Librarian Resources 

Sources for free or reduced books: 
First Book - ​If at least 70% of the students in your class come from low-income families, sign up for First Book. First Book offers a marketplace where teachers can find new books at 50 to 90 % off retail prices. Additionally First Book has a National Book Bank offering free books. The only catch is that you pay the shipping of $0.35 to $0.50 per book. ​
Kids Need to Read - This program provides free books and literary resources to schools and libraries. To be eligible for the program your school must serve at least 50% of children living at or below the national poverty line. ​
Reading Resource Project - Sponsored by the Literacy Empowerment Foundation, the Reading Resource Project, an ongoing program that distributes softcover books to support literacy programs. Reading levels are available for Pre-K through Second Grade. The Reading Resource Project offers book sets in Spanish as well as English in various subjects. Recipients are required to pay shipping and handling of $.78 per book. ​
Scholastic Reading Club – The Scholastic Reading Program is a great source for acquiring books for your classroom. When parents purchase books through your classroom catalog bonus points are earned to spend on books for class library. ​

Partnered with Alabama Cooperative Extension System for Read Across America Day by delivering Dr. Seuss reading kits to 34 schools in 13 counties in the Black Belt. 

News
​Center to Distribute Dr. Seuss Reading Kits to Black Belt Schools
The University of Alabama Center for Economic Development, along with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, is promoting the National Education Association’s Read Across America Day by providing Dr. Seuss-themed reading kits to 23 schools in eight counties within the Black Belt region.
Book donations sought for K-12 children
The campaign, organized by the University of Alabama Center for Economic Development, seeks donations of new or gently used classic and award-winning books for K-12 children.
Campus book drive to benefit communities within the Black Belt region
The project, managed by the UA Center for Economic Development, is gathering books for underprivileged children and communities within the Black Belt, a region of 13, typically poorer, Alabama counties. Throughout the month of February, those involved with the project will gather books to further the initiative. ​
UA Center Sends Reading Kits to Black Belt Schools
The University of Alabama Center for Economic Development, along with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, is promoting the National Education Association’s Read Across America Day by providing Dr. Seuss-themed reading kits to 21 schools in seven counties in the Black Belt region.
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