Books for the Bayou

Bringing Books Back to Students

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Books for the Bayou?
A: Books for the Bayou is a three-year program designed to help provide age-appropriate books to students affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The books go to children in Louisiana and Mississippi to replenish the children’s personal libraries. Books for the Bayou is being undertaken to further the rebuilding process, encourage children to become readers, and promote academic success. This is a joint program of PTA and Reading Is Fundamental.

Q: Why is PTA teaming up with Reading Is Fundamental?
A: Founded in 1966, Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) is the oldest and largest children’s and family nonprofit literacy organization in the United States. Through community volunteers in every state and U.S. territory, RIF provides 4.5 million children with 16 million new, free books and literacy resources each year.

With such an established network (and previous service in Louisiana and Mississippi), RIF is a strong partner that will take care of book distribution, allowing all PTA funds raised to go to buying books. In addition, through RIF, PTA can purchase books at a significant discount.

Q: What will be accomplished through Books for the Bayou?
A: Thousands of books will be distributed to hurricane-affected students in Louisiana and Mississippi over the next three years. The primary distributions will occur just prior to summer recess so students have an incentive to read over the summer and increase their literacy skills. If funds are available beyond those needed to accomplish the summer distributions, books could be distributed at other times of the year as well.

Q: How can PTAs participate?
A: PTAs can raise funds for the effort. As monetary donations are the most effective way to provide books through this program, we’d ask that funds be raised rather than books collected. Through this model, students are more certain to receive age-appropriate material in pristine condition—and we’ll save on shipping costs.

Books for the Bayou fundraisers can be a great community service project for families and schools, a way for Gulf Coast transplants to reconnect to their homes, and a great method to rally a PTA for a common good. Spread the word that information about holding a fundraiser is provided at www.pta.org/books, as is the form for the donation of funds.

Q: Why should PTAs participate?
A: Each PTA faces its own fundraising pressures to provide activities for its community, so each PTA needs to examine its capacity to participate in this giving program. Participation is purely voluntary. We encourage PTAs to evaluate interest in the community and support enthusiastic individuals who would like to undertake the project. Every dollar raised helps students affected by the hurricanes rebuild their lives. Plus, the program can help build camaraderie and show how PTA is making a positive impact in the world.

Q: What resources are available to assist with PTA participation?
A: The PTA national office has created a website—www.pta.org/books—with Books for the Bayou fundraiser ideas, a flier for promoting the program, and a form to submit donations.

Q: How can individual PTA members participate?
A: Individuals can make donations at www.pta.org/books, whether or not their communities are otherwise involved. Members can also help organize fundraising events in their communities.

Q: How can I tell the PTA national office what my PTA is planning to do?
A: All PTA leaders who would like to share their stories with us may do so by sending an e-mail to books@pta.org.