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Cleveland
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Why We Read

“Reading is a passion of mine and it’s helped guide me through various stages of life. Books have influenced me emotionally, spiritually, and professionally and I hope Cleveland Reads brings that same love to all Clevelanders.

Boosting literacy is one way to improve outcomes in our community – from academic success to workforce development.”

Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb

ABOUT CLEVELAND READS

Who We Are

A city that reads together grows together. That’s the purpose behind the Cleveland Reads Citywide Reading Challenge. 

The goal is for the entire city to collectively read one million books and/or one million minutes in 2023. We’re encouraging all city residents to sign up online and to use the website throughout 2023 to log their books and the minutes they spend reading. Readers will win fabulous prizes and a lifetime of positive results.

SIGN UP
Woman with son standing in front of book shelf

HOW TO WIN

Read. Log. Win.

The goal is for the entire city to collectively read one million books and/or one million minutes in 2023. We’re encouraging all city residents to sign up online and to use the website throughout 2023 to log their books and the minutes they spend reading. Readers will win fabulous prizes and a lifetime of positive results.

Read

After you register, read at least 20 minutes of Reading a Day. That’s 1.8 million words a year!

Log

Don’t forget to log your minutes on Beanstack to keep track of your progress.

Win Prize

Earn chances to win prizes for reading.

LOG BOOKS

SPREAD THE WORD

Three Easy Steps

After you’ve signed up for Cleveland READS, tell five friends & family five times about Cleveland READS News & Events. Please use the power of your influence to spread information about Cleveland READS. Whether it’s word-of-mouth, social media, e-mails, newsletters and more!

SIGN UP

1.

Become a Champion

  • Spread the word online. Share your reading journey with #ClevelandReads.
  • Become a Cleveland Neighborhood Reading Ambassador. Engage your community to join the challenge. If you’d like to become an ambassador, email jessica@kidsbookbank.org
  • Follow us online! Tag us on your favorite social networks. We’re on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

2.

Use the Resources

  • Get free or low-cost books from, Cleveland Public Library, Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank, Literacy in the Hood, or Literacy Cooperative.
  • Find reading support from Daily Dose of Reading and Seeds of Literacy
  • Add one of your favorite titles to a Little Free Library

3.

Join the Events

  • Register yourself and your friends for upcoming Cleveland READS! events.
  • Spread the word online and to your networks.
  • Share your photos from the event online.
  • Sign-up for the newsletter so that you never miss a major announcement or event!

WORD ON THE STREET

Words from the Community

“Number one determinant of literacy for kids is whether they have books in their home.”

Felton Thomas, Jr.
Executive Director, CEO, Cleveland Public Library

“The Cleveland Reads challenge has fired up my competitive juices. I’m finishing one book a week, and making sure to log it. I’m very eager for Cleveland to achieve our goal of being “the city that reads”!“

Margaret Bernstein
Author and WKYC-TV Director of Advocacy & Community Initiatives

Reading is foundational to everything we do. Boosting literacy is one way towards improving outcomes in our community – from academic success to workforce development; from improved health outcomes to reduced crime. And you can make a difference.

Donate

Donations can be made through the Cleveland Public Library Foundation at cplfdn.org/donate. Indicate in the comments section that the gift is for Cleveland READS.

Become a Corporate Sponsor

Amplify the reach of Cleveland Reads! As a corporate sponsor, you can help put books in the hands or more children, increase access to major events, and help spread the words about Cleveland READS!

BECOME A SPONSOR

Sign your organization up for the challenge!

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