6 ways to get free books for teachers

Teachers are a hard-working and selfless bunch, often spending their own money on supplies for their classrooms. Fortunately, there’s a way for them to stretch their budget by getting free books for their students.

How to get free books for teachers

1. Book Bank

If you teach at a Title I school where at least 70% of the students come from low-income families, you’re eligible for free books from First Book Marketplace.

Publishers donate large quantities of free books on a monthly basis. The only out-of-pocket cost is shipping, which can cost up to 75 cents per book.

2. Kids Need to Read

Kids Need to Read offers books, periodicals, and literacy resources to schools and teachers with the express goal of helping disadvantaged children and adolescents.

Program requirements for Kids Need to Read include that you must serve a school population with at least 50% of children living at or below the national poverty level. There’s a rigorous applicant process but no guarantee of acceptance even if you meet the requirements.

3. Library of Congress

Through its surplus program, the Library of Congress makes a wide range of books available for free to teachers.

One caveat, though: You must pick the books up in person either yourself or through an authorized representative. If your school is already planning a trip to Washington, D.C., put this stop on the itinerary!

4. Reading Resource Project

An initiative from the Literacy Empowerment Foundation, the Reading Resource Project offers free softcover books for Pre-K through third grade. The only out-of-pocket cost is shipping, which is 88 cents per book, but the minimum order size is 100 books.

5. Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program

This bookseller’s Summer Reading Program rewards kids with a free book after they read and write about one of their existing favorite books.

The program kicks off May 7 and participation is open to kids in first grade through sixth grade.

6. Dollar General Literacy Foundation

With the Dollar General Youth Literacy Grant, you or your school can get up to $4,000 to buy books, materials or software for literacy programs. Applications are being accepted now through May 16, 2019.

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