As part of MSU’s Dr. Martin Luther King Commemorative Celebration, the Stuff the Library book drive raised nearly $5,000 to bring books identified by school district librarians as featuring characters of diverse backgrounds to Lansing School District. This book drive is an annual collaboration between the Center for Community Engaged Learning and the Alumni Office.

“MLK stood for giving back to the community and making sure everyone could see themselves and have an equal chance,” said CCEL assistant director K.C. Keyton. “We’re trying to uplift students in public school districts who may not have access to these types of books to be excited about their education and reading into the future.”

Stuff the Library started during the COVID-19 pandemic to support school districts across Michigan by bringing new stories into school libraries in preparation for students to return in-person. For the past five years, through community partnership and connections with MSU’s alumni network, this campaign has increased children’s access to books and used funds raised to purchase through locally owned bookstores, keeping money within Michigan communities. This year’s book drive returned home to Lansing School District in partnership with Hooked and delivered donated books to Pattengill Elementary School on April 7^th.

“It’s important that we all see our faces in the things that we read us because the world is inherently diverse,” said Jessica Benavides, Lansing School District Deputy Superintendent of Schools. “One of our prime objectives is making sure that everyone who comes to Lansing feels like they belong, that they know who they are and all the gifts they bring.”

Thank you to everyone who donated to this campaign in support of bringing new books into schools!