International Book Giving Day: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about International Book Giving Day (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. International Book Giving Day is observed on February 14th.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of International Book Giving Day, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as interesting facts you might want to know about International Book Giving Day.

📅 What day is International Book Giving Day 2024?

In 2024, International Book Giving Day is on Tuesday, February 14th. It is the 2nd Tuesday in February; in 2024, it is Wednesday. There are until the next observance. You also can discover all fascinating details and facts about February 14, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

Every year on February 14th, International Book Giving Day urges individuals to give books as the name implies. Book enthusiasts worldwide come together to celebrate this special occasion. It is a day dedicated to spreading the joy of reading with others, especially young individuals who may not have access to as many books as you do. The fact that International Book Giving Day aligns with Valentine’s Day is not coincidental, as it is a day centered around love. This global event encompasses two main ideals: a passion for books and a love for others.

📜 International Book Giving Day History

Emma Perry, the founder of My Book Corner and author of “I Don’t Like Books” and “This Book Has Alpacas,” took charge of organizing International Book Giving Day in 2013. She collaborated with Catherine Friess, the owner of Story Snug, to plan the various activities.

From its inception, International Book Giving Day has always had the involvement of renowned authors. Clara Vulliamy, a celebrated children’s book artist and author of books like “Dotty Detective” and “The Bear With Sticky Paws,” designed the bookplate for the first International Book Giving Day. Meanwhile, Viviane Schwarz, a talented writer and illustrator, created the initial header and logo for the event.

The primary objective of International Book Giving Day is to ensure that as many children as possible have access to new, used, or borrowed books. People are encouraged to contribute in any way they can, whether by donating to charities that provide books to children or simply purchasing new books for the children in their lives.

This voluntary initiative aims to expand children’s access to books and foster a love for reading. Volunteers are encouraged to organize their own activities or participate in any way they can, such as donating at least one book to a child in need.

Currently, International Book Giving Day is celebrated in over 44 countries, including France, Ukraine, South Africa, Japan, Nigeria, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Malaysia.

✅ International Book Giving Day Facts

🔖 Local libraries
You can make a positive impact by donating your used books to nearby libraries, as they often gladly accept such contributions. Take the initiative to locate a library in your vicinity and share your books with them.

🔖 Goodwill
Goodwill offers a range of community-based initiatives aimed at providing books and educational resources to individuals who do not have easy access to them.

🔖 Prison book programs
Book programs such as Books Through Bars provide inmates with valuable reading materials that can equip them with knowledge and guidance to make positive choices upon their release from prison.

👍 Why Is International Book Giving Day Important

Call us geeks, but we love reading. You may be absorbed in an entirely different universe with only a few phrases. Books are also an excellent way to educate yourself and expand your vocabulary. What’s not to love about this?

International Book Giving Day is all about spreading kindness and compassion to those in need. When you donate books, you can leave a nice, thoughtful note to make someone’s day and make the world a little bit better. Sharing is an effective method to demonstrate affection and improve communities.

When you share a book on International Book Giving Day, you allow someone else to benefit from your progress as a result of reading the book. Consider a group of voracious readers who share books among themselves. Everyone has the opportunity to grow personally, and no one is left behind.

🙂 How To Observe International Book Giving Day

⚡ Donate to a local library
It is clear that our libraries are not receiving sufficient funding. One way you can contribute is by donating gently used books to your local library or non-profit organizations that work towards providing books to those who lack access to them. Organizations like Books for Africa, Book Aid International, and The Book Bus are great options to consider. Additionally, you can make a difference by donating money to the library to support their efforts in acquiring the books they desperately require.

⚡ Leave a book somewhere
You can purposefully leave your favorite book behind at the doctor’s office, hoping that someone else will find it and take it home on your next visit. To encourage this, you can include a heartfelt message on the first page, inviting the finder to read the book and pass it along to others. By doing this, you can help create a culture of book-gifting and potentially impact the lives of many individuals.

⚡ Organize a book exchange program
It’s more than just giving away books; you can also exchange them. It might be a good idea to start a book exchange program in your local area, allowing people to share and benefit from each other’s collections. You can have separate programs for kids and adults, providing a fantastic opportunity to bring happiness and foster a greater passion for reading among everyone involved.

📅 When is International Book Giving Day?

Discover all 🔗 February holidays, including 🔗 Special Interest and other 🔗 Appreciation holidays.

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