Children’s Book Shelves
Building home libraries. Strengthening family literacy. Connecting community.
Access to food should not be separated from access to books.
The Family Books Program is a Wren Works initiative designed to embed literacy support directly within trusted community spaces. Through our partnership with the Lebanon Food Pantry, families receive free, high-quality children’s books each month—helping build home libraries and shared reading habits over time.
This program is structured as a pilot model exploring how literacy resources can be delivered at the point of social service in a way that is measurable, sustainable, and replicable.
How the Program works
Monthly Book Distribution
Families select from curated collection of high-quality new and gently used books to build home libraries at no cost
Titles are selected for high-interest themes, accessibility across ages, and availability in English and Spanish
Books are chosen to encourage shared reading between caregivers and children
Featured books include a free digital STEAM resource with:
Shared reading prompts
Simple creative activities
Extensions that support curiosity in science, art, nature, and storytelling
These resources are designed to make reading an active, meaningful experience at home.
Free Monthly Family Events
Wren Works hosts community family events with shared reading experiences, hands-on arts activities, and nature-based learning opportunities with resources provided by Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Invest in Family Literacy
The family Books Program is built on a simple premise: access to books should not depend on household income. This work is sustained through community investment.
Put Books in the Hands of Children, Families, and Educators
Across all our programs, Wren Works has seen firsthand the power of books to inspire curiosity, strengthen literacy, and build lifelong learners. This year, we aim to expand book distribution to:
Children attending camps and family literacy events
Educators participating in professional learning workshops
Families building home libraries at the Lebanon Food Pantry