McHenry, IL and Tampa FL -- Nov. 21, 2024. Despite the widespread destruction and heartache unleashed by the one-two punch of hurricanes Helene and Milton, Florida communities — such as those in Hillsborough County — are trying to return to a semblance of normalcy. Just one aspect of the rebuilding process is tending to the hundreds of pre-kindergarten through high school students significantly impacted by the floods resulting from the two hurricanes.

Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS), the third largest school district in the state, is partnering with Follett Content to do something about it. The school district is using the Follett Book eFair platform to host a virtual book drive to rebuild students' home library collections. It is running now through Dec. 1.

Community members, businesses, and organizations are invited to visit the Follett Book eFair platform and purchase age-appropriate books that, in turn, will be donated to the students spanning four grade bands: PreK to 2nd grade, 3rdthrough 5th, 6th through 8th, and 9th through 12th. To make it easier for donors to make large contributions, book bundles in the amounts of $25, $50, $100, $250, and $500 can be accepted.

According to AnnMarie Courtney, Director of Partnership Engagement, Philanthropy and Outreach for HCPS, the goal is to purchase 10,000 books to donate to the students who were most impacted by the flooding. Each student will receive no fewer than two books.

"Reading is such a critical skill and vital to a student's success in school that when they lost their books in the floods, it created a huge void," Courtney said. "This is an important philanthropic effort to support these students and keep them engaged in reading activities at home."

As part of the HCPS-Follett Content partnership, the district will receive 20 percent back in the form of a Titlewave Promotional Credit that may be used to buy books to enhance school and classroom libraries. Courtney said the credit will help support spring literacy initiatives within the district. Follett Titlewave is an online collection development and curriculum support tool for librarians and educators to buy books for school and classroom libraries.

Follett Content, the longtime literacy and school librarian advocate, re-introduced Follett Book eFairs for the 2024-25 school year with the goal of leveling the playing field and extending benefits to educators and students alike. Community book drives, such as the one with HCPS, is but one way the company is utilizing its Book eFair platform.

"We believe books are power and want to see a world where everyone has access to them," said Britten Follett, CEO, Follett Content. "We are proud to be partnering with Hillsborough County Public Schools in this important endeavor and look forward to helping other communities that, for whatever reason, need help getting books into the hands of kids."

Follett Book eFairs are available to all PreK-8 schools in the United States and have no minimum sales requirements, extending reach and accessibility.

For more information about the HCPS virtual book drive, visit https://follettk12.link/a1m.

About Follett Content

Follett Content Solutions is the largest provider of educational materials and solutions to PreK-12 libraries, classrooms, learning centers and school districts in the United States, and a major supplier to educational institutions worldwide. Follett Content distributes books, eBooks, Makerspace and hands-on learning materials, and audiovisual and digital resources through Titlewave, the most powerful online collection development and curriculum support tool for educators. Follow @FollettContent on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).