OUR IMPACT

Since 2014, Bright Star Books has been putting books in the hands of children who need them most. Here's what that looks like in action.

THE NUMBERS TELL THE STORY

420,000+Books collected & redistributed

2014Serving Greater Akron since

61%Of limited-resource kids lack books at home

100%Of books given go to limited-resource families

A child reading a book donated through Bright Star Books

"United by belief in the transformative power a book can have in the hands of a child."
— Bright Star Books

Our Journey

MILESTONES

Bright Star Books founded. First libraries built in temporary housing situations.

2014

Community book drives launch across Greater Akron. First major press coverage.

2015

Record-breaking collection: over 30,000 books gathered for area children.

2016

BSB expands to new headquarters with support from Family & Community Services, Inc.

2017

Awarded an Education Grant from the Akron Community Foundation.

2018

Bright Star Books awarded the "Friends of WIC" Award by the State of Ohio.

2019

Portage Foundation grant supports continued growth during the pandemic.

2020

Bright Star Books celebrates 10th anniversary.

2024

Bright Star Books gives away its 400,000th children's book.

2025

Press Coverage

BRIGHT STAR BOOKS IN THE NEWS

PBSLet's Read Together: Laying the Foundation for Lifelong Learning

September 8, 2025

Akron Community FoundationAkron Community Foundation Awards $4.4 Million in Quarterly Grants

March 9, 2026

Cleveland.comWestlake Primrose Schools Spark Joy of Reading with Generous Book Donations

March 2024

Ideastream Public MediaIDEASTREAM Holds First Book Challenge on September 27

September 27, 2023

Akron Community FoundationAFC Announces Nearly $4.8 Million in Quarterly Grants

March 5, 2021

Akron Public Schools (Facebook)Be Kind 330 Spotlight: Bright Star Books

2020

Cleveland.comBSB Awarded an Education Grant from the Akron Community Foundation

March 5, 2018

Akron Beacon JournalNon-Profit Expands Book-Giving Efforts with New Headquarters and Grant

December 1, 2017

Akron Beacon JournalBright Star Books Hopes to Set Record, Boost Literacy at RubberDucks Game

June 8, 2016

AkronistBright Star Collects More Than 30,000 Books for Area Children

April 18, 2016

Mayfield SchoolsBook Drive Success

April 2015

AkronistNew Nonprofit Aims to Give Books to 7,000 Low-Income Children

January 19, 2015

The BuchteliteAkron Gets Sneak Peek at PBS Documentary

October 23, 2014

BE PART OF THE STORY

Every book donated, every drive organized, every dollar raised adds to this impact.

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