Last spring, as the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, our school buildings closed and students moved to a digital learning environment to help flatten the curve. During those months, book bags and their contents were parked on desks, dropped on closet floors, and shoved under beds. While our school buildings have reopened, about 80,000 school library books remain at home.
To get those books back into circulation, GCPS is hosting the SUPER Book Return Challenge during Super Bowl Week—Feb. 1-5!
Our school media centers challenge GCPS students to look everywhere for library books that they checked out last year and return them to any school or public library branch.
Every book you find and return today could be someone else’s favorite tomorrow!
“Reading is so important, and we love for students to take home library books for their pleasure reading,” says Mary Barbee, GCPS director of Media Services, of the book-return blitz. “Every library book that is returned during the Challenge will be available for another student to check out and enjoy at home.”
With about 45% of students learning at home, the district faces challenges in reuniting books with their media center. However, schools and community partners are working together to make the most of the SUPER Book Return Challenge.
Barcodes will ensure that books return to their home media center so families can return library books to any GCPS media center, any school’s front office, or curbside drop-off bins at any GCPS school. Digital learners can send their books with a friend or neighbor who attends school in person. They can even drop off their school library books curbside at any of the 15 branches of the Gwinnett County Public Library.
“Our goal is to bring these books back to the media centers and make them available for other students to enjoy,” says Mrs. Barbee, noting that all participating schools are entered into a drawing for a visit from the GCPS Book Mobile, providing a free book for every student. “Everyone's a winner during the SUPER Book Return Challenge!”