NEWS RELEASES > NOVEMBER 21, 2024
MCHENRY, Ill. & TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 21, 2024 — Despite the widespread destruction and heartache unleashed by the one-two punch of hurricanes Helene and Milton, Florida communities — such as those in Hillsborough County — are trying to return to a semblance of normalcy. Just one aspect of the rebuilding process is tending to the hundreds of pre-kindergarten through high school students significantly impacted by the floods resulting from the two hurricanes.
Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS), the third largest school district in the state, is partnering with Follett Content to do something about it. The school district is using the Follett Book eFair platform to host a virtual book drive to rebuild students’ home library collections. It is running now through Dec. 1.
Community members, businesses, and organizations are invited to visit the Follett Book eFair platform and purchase age-appropriate books that, in turn, will be donated to the students spanning four grade bands: PreK to 2nd grade, 3rd through 5th, 6th through 8th, and 9th through 12th. To make it easier for donors to make large contributions, book bundles in the amounts of $25, $50, $100, $250, and $500 can be accepted.
According to AnnMarie Courtney, Director of Partnership Engagement, Philanthropy and Outreach for HCPS, the goal is to purchase 10,000 books to donate to the students who were most impacted by the flooding. Each student will receive no fewer than two books.
“Reading is such a critical skill and vital to a student’s success in school that when they lost their books in the floods, it created a huge void,” Courtney said. “This is an important philanthropic effort to support these students and keep them engaged in reading activities at home.”
As part of the HCPS-Follett Content partnership, the district will receive 20 percent back in the form of a Titlewave Promotional Credit that may be used to buy books to enhance school and classroom libraries. Courtney said the credit will help support spring literacy initiatives within the district. Follett Titlewave is an online collection development and curriculum support tool for librarians and educators to buy books for school and classroom libraries.
Follett Content, the longtime literacy and school librarian advocate, re-introduced Follett Book eFairs for the 2024-25 school year with the goal of leveling the playing field and extending benefits to educators and students alike. Community book drives, such as the one with HCPS, is but one way the company is utilizing its Book eFair platform.
“We believe books are power and want to see a world where everyone has access to them,” said Britten Follett, CEO, Follett Content. “We are proud to be partnering with Hillsborough County Public Schools in this important endeavor and look forward to helping other communities that, for whatever reason, need help getting books into the hands of kids.”
Follett Book eFairs are available to all PreK-8 schools in the United States and have no minimum sales requirements, extending reach and accessibility.
For more information about the HCPS virtual book drive, visit https://follettk12.link/a1m.
Follett Content Strengthens Adult Offerings for Public Libraries, Launches New Street Date Program
April 30, 2026
Follett Content, a longtime partner to libraries nationwide, today announced a deepened commitment to public library collections by expanding its adult print catalog and launching the Follett Street Date Program to help libraries to deliver high-demand titles to patrons on...
Read more
Follett Celebrates Educators During Teacher Appreciation Week with Literacy Space Giveaway
April 28, 2026
During Teacher Appreciation Week, Follett Content is recognizing educators by supporting the literacy spaces where students read, explore, and learn every day. The initiative addresses common challenges educators face, including limited time and budget to refresh classroom and library environments.
Read more
United Way Rock River Valley and Follett Content Partner to Donate 2,000 Books to Rockford Students
April 2, 2026
United Way Rock River Valley and Follett Content are proud to partner on placing 2,000 new books directly into the hands of Rockford Public School students. Follett Content's donation fulfills the entire goal of United Way's Books for Brighter Futures...
Read more
2026 Approved & Ready: NYC Library Solutions
March 23, 2026
New York City, NY., Mar. 23, 20206 – Follett Content is an approved vendor for New York City (NYC) school libraries, enabling NYC educators to confidently place library material orders through a trusted, established partner. Through this contract, Follett Content...
Read more
Follett Content Accelerates Public Library Strategy
February 19, 2026
McHenry, Ill., Feb. 19, 2026 – Building on its September 2025 introduction into the public library market, Follett Content today announced a significant next step in its growth strategy: the addition of widely respected library-market veterans and a series of new technology...
Read more
Follett Content and Sora Student Reading App Announce Landmark Partnership
December 9, 2025
We are providing an improved experience for your readers by making digital content available through Sora, the award-winning student reading app by OverDrive.
Read more