Beyond the Book
DCPL
Innovation Synopsis
Beyond the Book is a district wide reading initiative that connects students, families, and communities through a shared story. Led by the DC Public Library, the program brings books to life beyond library walls—into schools, community centers, and public spaces—through interactive events, educator workshops, and family engagement activities. Each season features a new title that reflected on the building of the public using the beautiful artwork from the book. The murals spark conversations about identity, creativity, and connection. By combining literacy, arts, and community engagement, Beyond the Book creates equitable access to reading experiences, strengthens partnerships between schools and libraries, and inspires a lifelong love of reading for all children across Washington, DC.
Challenge/Opportunity
Beyond the Book responds to systemic literacy gaps and inequitable access to reading engagement across the District.
Primary Issues Addressed:
- Literacy Equity: Persistent reading proficiency disparities, particularly in Wards 5, 7 & 8, where students face limited access to diverse, high-quality books and enrichment opportunities.
- Access & Engagement: Many families lack consistent connections to libraries and literacy resources outside school hours.
- School-Library Alignment: Fragmented collaboration between educators and library systems limits sustained impact on student literacy.
- Cultural Representation: Need for inclusive stories that reflect students’ lived experiences and foster belonging.
Opportunities Created:
- Strengthen the school-library-community ecosystem.
- Position the library as a literacy innovation hub.
- Engage families as co-educators through shared reading and creative expression.
Key Elements of Innovation
Beyond the Book reimagines library engagement by merging literacy, arts, and community connection in nontraditional spaces.
Structure & Implementation:
- Led by DC Public Library’s Youth & Family Services Division in partnership with schools, community orgs, and public spaces.
- Quarterly citywide reading initiative centered on a shared youth title.
- Includes educator workshops, family engagement guides, and public events.
Goals:
- Advance literacy equity across Wards.
- Build a culture of reading that extends beyond library walls.
- Strengthen school-library-community collaboration.
- Introducing new experiences to students
Key Partners:
- DC Public Schools, DCPS Library Services
- Publishers, Scholastic, KIPP DC, Ello, and community institutions
Activities:
- Book distributions, school visits, events, educator PDs, and an online reading app to support developing readers
Innovation & Impact:
Combines literacy and social-emotional learning through place-based programming.
Expands l
Achieved Outcomes
- Increased Access & Engagement: Distributed over 100,000 free books for their home libraries, ensuring students and families have equitable access to literacy resources.
- Participation Metrics: Tracked attendance
- New Partnerships: Established collaborations with Scholastic, KIPP DC, and community-based organizations to expand learning beyond the classroom.
- Staff & Customer Feedback: Educators report stronger student interest in reading; families note improved at-home literacy routines. Staff highlight the program’s value in building deeper school connections.
- Tangible Impact: Increased teacher participation in workshops; positive media coverage; and measurable growth in community awareness of DCPL programs.
