The Harry Potter Alliance Begins Worldwide Book Drive

The Harry Potter Alliance, an international non-profit that uses the power of stories to fight real world injustice, has kicked off a campaign to donate 60,000 books to communities in need. The annual “Accio Books!” campaign runs from April 2 to June 2.  During that time, HPA chapters and individual members will be running book drives to collect and share beloved stories across the US and around the globe. The campaign is already well on its way:  after only two weeks, HPA members have already collected over 8,000 books!

“Literacy is the driving force behind our organization and is the key to success in education,” says HPA Executive Director Matt Maggiacomo. “It’s our mission to make literacy a priority in communities.”

This year, the HPA will be working to promote literacy in more communities than ever by donating books to three different recipients: Operation Breakthrough in Kansas City, MO, USA; Borderline Books: Gateshead, England; and Borderline Books: Leiden, the Netherlands. Both Operation Breakthrough and Borderline Books will use the donated books to build their lending libraries and to give away to people in need. Participating  HPA chapters and members are also encouraged to donate books within their local communities. With chapters in more than 45 nations, this means that Accio Books! will be bringing stories to readers all over the world.

Initiated in 2009, Accio Books! has helped the HPA build libraries in New York City, the Mississippi Delta, Detroit, and Rwanda and donate more than 200,000 books to communities around the world. In addition to collecting books, this year the HPA will also be supporting advocacy for literacy throughout the campaign, including participating in the American Library Association’s National Library Legislative Day.

There are lots of opportunities to get involved with Accio Books! and to promote worldwide literacy by sharing the stories you love. One of the best ways to donate is to mail books directly to Operation Breakthrough and Borderline Books. Instructions for mailing, including addresses, can be found at the HPA’s website. Can’t make it to the post office? On April 23rd, the HPA will be partnering with Book Riot to support and celebrate World Book Night. Book lovers in New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Lexington, and Richmond can bring new and used books to donate atlocal celebrations. Fans of entertainer and internet entrepreneur Hank Green will also be able to donate books at all shows on the upcoming Tour Because Awesome. So start collecting and get ready to promote celebrate literacy all across the world.

To learn more about the HPA and their literacy campaign “Accio Books!”, please visit http://thehpalliance.org/accio-books.

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The Harry Potter Alliance (www.thehpalliance.org) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that turns fans into heroes. We’re changing the world by making activism accessible through the power of story. Since 2005, we’ve engaged millions of fans through our work for equality, human rights, and literacy.