Any school can start a Birthday Books Project with just a modest budget, a modest time investment, and an ordinary bookcase -- and you can help make it happen!  

Complete printable instructions are linked here, covering these major points: 

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• Cost.  Projects serving Title I schools will need just $1 to $2 per student per year, thanks to the generous support of partner organizations promoting literacy at those schools.  Other schools, which can use discount wholesalers, should budget $2 to $3 per student per year.  Some schools fund their own projects from existing literacy funds, while many are financially sponsored by local community groups.  If you represent a community group which can help, start by reaching out to the principal of the school you'd like to support to discuss your idea.  Be sure to link this website in your initial email to let the principal know that step-by-step help is available.

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• Time.  Total time needed per year is about 20 hours in advance (to plan, order books, and set up), then about 2 hours a week throughout the school year (to give books to students and re-order as needed).  As with cost, a school can do it alone or share responsibility.  A self-directed school can designate a staff member for the full needed time, while a school with an active community partner may be able to save time by sharing tasks.  

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• A bookcase.  The final need is very modest:  a simple bookcase, often placed in the media center or the front office, which can store the books and allow students to choose a favorite.  Most schools already have a bookcase they can dedicate to the project, so community groups rarely need to provide one.

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That's it!  Any school that can commit to those three things can have a Birthday Books Project that celebrates and encourages every child in the school.