Our Impact

A smiling child read a book on the floor of the library.

864,377+ students

When children feel safe, they learn better. In public school libraries, all children have an organic opportunity to find diverse books.

20,656 LGBTQ+ books

Open Books donates sets of LGBTQ+ affirming books to elementary and middle school libraries, intervening early to help set the foundation for self-acceptance.

A volunteer placing a note from Open Books into a donated children's book

1,291 schools

Open Books has a district down approach, magnifying impact by ensuring books reach all elementary or middle school libraries in the district.

Our Programs

Open Books advances our mission and maximizes impact through four key programs. These programs build on our three-pronged model focusing on district-wide donations, early stage intervention, and public school libraries

Open Doors

We provide librarians with tools to signal the library as a safe space for all students, and to support the use of our LGBTQ+ affirming book sets.

First Chapter

We donate 12 diverse, acclaimed, LGBTQ+ affirming books to all elementary school libraries in a school district, impacting thousands of students per delivery and promoting safe and accepting school environments. Our books have a shelf life of 8 to 10 years in school libraries.

Found in Translation

We engage in belonging for all students, by providing multilingual audio read-alongs, so students can listen in different languages and follow along with the English picture books.

Next Chapter

We donate a set of diverse LGBTQ+ affirming books to all middle school libraries in a school district, helping middle school students learn better, feel safer, and engage more deeply in school.

Our Goals

Five goals will drive our trajectory over the next two years (2025-2026). We value co-creating change with an inclusive community of educators, advocates, children, and families.

Goal 1

Foster Safe Middle Schools

Open Books will expand our impact to older students, launching our middle school donation program Next Chapter.

Goal 2

Engage in Belonging for Multilingual Students

Open Books celebrates linguistic and cultural diversity and strengthens communities by launching our program Found in Translation for four additional languages, increasing student engagement of LGBTQ+ affirming literature for non-native English speakers.

Goal 3

Double our Elementary Impact

Open Books will partner with an additional 1300 elementary schools over the next two years, reaching students in critical stages of self-discovery and identity formation.

Goal 4

Promote Inclusive Libraries

Open Books will create tools to optimize use of its book sets, such as a Welcoming Schools co-branded lesson plan program and portable display materials.

Goal 5

Establish Sound Infrastructure

Open Books will implement best practices in nonprofit development and growth as it transitions from a volunteer-run organization.

Districts Reached

Our Impact