Storytime Program

We’re pleased to offer our Storytime, our first direct service program for children at our Book Bank in the Bayview District of San Francisco. Storytime promotes literacy and book ownership through field trips with invited elementary schools serving the most under-resourced children in our community. Students enjoy listening to some books read aloud and then select up to five free books of their very own—for keeps! Taking home their own books gives children pride of choice and ownership, and for some these may be the first books they own. Teachers are encouraged to select an unlimited number of free books for their classrooms. 

Access to books is the single biggest barrier to literacy development and consequent improved lifetime outcomes, yet too many children don’t have access to books of their own. With your support, our Storytime program is another way we’re fulfilling our mission to give books to children who need them for equity in literacy, learning, and life.

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY: Last Wednesday of the month

ARRIVE: 11 am
DEPART: 12 pm

Participation and books are free; transportation to/from the Book Bank not provided.

CONTACT: [email protected]

How to get involved

Teachers: email your request for a Storytime field trip. Please include your name, title, school name, number of students in your class, their grade, and the percentage of your class from low-income families.

Volunteers: help young readers choose books to keep for their own.

Book publishers: donate new, inclusive books for Storytime and receive a tax donation receipt and acknowledgment on our social media.

Authors: meet the kids who’ll love your book! Donate copies, read your work aloud, and sign copies for extra smiles! You’ll receive a tax donation receipt and acknowledgment on our social media.

Donors: keep this program going strong with your grant or funding so kids can choose free books of their very own — for keeps!