Over 50 book distribution nonprofits gathered on Zoom on March 10th, 2023 to learn and support one another’s mission. Founders, executive directors, staff members, board members, and key volunteers were welcomed so they could benefit from book distribution best practices and networking with colleagues. Sessions were recorded and open networking sessions happened at the opening and close of the event.
Networking
Session #1: How to Source, Sort, Store, and Transport Books: Streamline your processes to be more effective in collecting and distributing books
Video
- Amy Zaslansky, Book Fairies
- Ryan Jackson, Open Books
- Larry Abrams, BookSmiles
- Colleen Watt, Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank
Session #2: Effective Ways to Distribute Books: Learn best practices for Bookmobiles and multi-year/same-child book distribution programs
Video
Bookmobiles:
- Rachel Stine, Book Harvest
- Rowan Childs, Madison Reading Project
- Elizabeth Dragga, The Book Truck
- Mark Feiring, Maryland Book Bank
- Michael Shipley, Book Book Go
Multi-year/same-child book distribution programs:
- Rachel Stine, Book Harvest
- Amber Smith, Family Reading Partnership
- Ally Fary, Spread The Word Nevada
- Emily Cicchini, BookSpring
- Pam Katynski, Read to Grow
- Meytal Barak, Book Harvest
Lunch & Learn: Intro to AmeriCorps: What is an AmeriCorps volunteer, and how can they help your nonprofit
Video
Lunch & Learn: Dibs for Kids: Software to help teachers send more books home with their students
Video
- Angie Miller, DIBS for Kids
- Marie Kovar, DIBS for Kids
Session #3: How to Collect and Manage your Data: Learn how to collect and utilize data from volunteers, book recipients, donors, and inventory
Video
- Eileen Minogue, Book Fairies
- Kelly Cates, Promising Pages
Session # 4: Funding Streams Panel: For large and small nonprofits, hear about grants, major gifts, earned income, and individual donors
Video
- Melissa Monforti, BookGive
- Justin Bray, Books For Keeps
- Mark Feiring, Maryland Book Bank
- Kayla Hand, Books Between Kids
Session #5: Communicating Impact to Funders: Hear from a Community Trust officer on how they choose grant recipients
Video
- Melissa Spradlin, Book’em
- Melissa Greenberger, Long Island Community Foundation
Follow-up survey: if you have not completed the follow-up survey, please help the committee by completing the questions in the link. Your input will help guide next year’s conference. https://forms.gle/3AkbB2H11FqwUnnt8
Organized by:
Build a Brighter World Through Books Forum Committee
- Kayla Hand, Books Between Kids
- Melissa Monforti, BookGive
- Eileen Minogue, Book Fairies
- Colleen Watt and Jessica Walsh Frazier from Cleveland Kids Book Bank
- Amy Zaslansky, Book Fairies
