Madison Reading Project launches sixth annual Community Book Drive

The Madison Reading Project has launched its 2025 Community Book Drive. Now in its sixth year, the annual book drive has a goal of acquiring 2,000 books for distribution and raising $50,000.

A nonprofit, the Madison Reading Project is dedicated to providing free books and literacy programs to spark a community-wide passion for reading. The event supports the organization’s year-end giving goals and its expanded literacy programming heading into 2026.

Staff and volunteers have placed donation bins throughout public locations in the community. The Madison Reading Project has also teamed up with 35 Madison-area organizations, bookstores, corporate groups, and sponsors to host individual book drives, also known as Peers for Pages fundraisers.

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Included in Madison Reading Project’s partnerships are the Empty Stocking Club, Madison School and Community Recreation (MSCR), the Monona and Waunakee public libraries and other community programs.

“We believe it is important for children to have access to new books that reflect their unique identities as well as open their eyes to others’ lived experiences,” Rowan Childs, co-executive director and founder said. “By supporting our Community Book Drive, you will help get thousands of new, high-quality books to kids, many of whom have few books in their homes.”

Community members can help by donating online, mailing a check, shopping from the group’s online book wishlist, or running a Peers for Pages fundraiser.

Supporters are encouraged to purchase new books for donation from local booksellers like Lake City Books, Mystery To Me, Books 4 School, Ink & Ivy, Garden Wall Bookshop, Ink Cap Books, and A Room of One’s Own.

“We want to encourage the amazing people in our community to not only help us collect books bought locally, but also support local businesses when they visit our bins,” Deirdre Steinmetz, co-executive director said. “To make it convenient, you can purchase from our wishlist via our website or through local bookstores.”

Brand-new books for children up to 18 can be donated at participating bookstores or at the Madison Reading Project Book Center at 1337 Greenway Cross, Madison, Wisconsin.

To ensure children receive books before schools close for winter break, the book drive runs from now through Dec. 10. Fundraising will also continue through the end of the year.