BOOK DRIVE
Civic + Community Engagement
Summary
How it started
The need
The plan
The book drive
Thanks
Call for action
About us
Overview:
In 2019–2020, during my time as Director of the Civic and Community Engagement Committee at AIGA Philadelphia, I led a team of eight volunteers in organizing a citywide book drive to support graphic design students in the Philadelphia School District’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. The result was the collection and distribution of over 800 books—resources that now serve as both creative inspiration and practical guidance for students pursuing careers in graphic arts and design.
In 2019–2020, during my time as Director of the Civic and Community Engagement Committee at AIGA Philadelphia, I led a team of eight volunteers in organizing a citywide book drive to support graphic design students in the Philadelphia School District’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. The result was the collection and distribution of over 800 books—resources that now serve as both creative inspiration and practical guidance for students pursuing careers in graphic arts and design.
Objective:
The goal of this initiative was to repurpose books from design professionals—books that had supported their early career journeys but now sat unused on their shelves. These materials, often filled with valuable insights and timeless fundamentals, offer a bridge between the classroom and the creative industry. As part of the campaign, I also created a slideshow presentation and visited a participating class to introduce the initiative and motivate students to take ownership of their creative development.
The goal of this initiative was to repurpose books from design professionals—books that had supported their early career journeys but now sat unused on their shelves. These materials, often filled with valuable insights and timeless fundamentals, offer a bridge between the classroom and the creative industry. As part of the campaign, I also created a slideshow presentation and visited a participating class to introduce the initiative and motivate students to take ownership of their creative development.
Methodology:
While the concept was straightforward—choose a date, organize collection points, design outreach materials, and promote the drive—the execution required strategic coordination, teamwork, and community outreach. We began by securing a date that aligned with the school calendar, ensuring books would be distributed in time to benefit graduating seniors.
Working collaboratively, our team tapped into personal networks to establish six drop-off locations across the city. I led the design of all promotional materials, including digital graphics, event copy, and physical signage, and oversaw logistics such as box collection, transportation, and delivery to the School District building.
Thanks to my role within AIGA, I also forged a key partnership with the School of Visual Arts in New York, which generously contributed 22 boxes of books to the drive—significantly amplifying the impact of our efforts. This project not only underscored the power of community engagement but also showcased the value of design as a tool for educational empowerment.