During the 2025–26 school year, the SAISD Foundation‘s Book Buddies program placed nearly 44,000 books directly into the hands of San Antonio ISD students—turning reading access into real opportunity. Powered by more than 1,081 volunteers, dozens of community partners, and thousands of engaged families, the program continues to expand literacy beyond the classroom and into students’ homes, where reading habits are built and futures are shaped.
Book Buddies SAISD Foundation: Expanding Literacy Across SAISD
Through school visits aboard our Book Buddies Bus, literacy events, family engagement nights, and community partnerships, 8,314 students selected and took home 43,942 books to build their own home libraries, creating opportunities for our students to discover the joy of reading and helping families foster literacy beyond the classroom.
The impact extends far beyond the pages of a book. On the day of our visits, 75% of schools saw an increase in attendance by up to 4.5% compared to their yearly daily average. The Superintendent’s Student Advisory Counci identified expanded access to books and print-rich environments as one of their top priorities this year.
Throughout the year, Book Buddies brought the community together around literacy. More than 1,081 volunteers gave their time to sort, load, and distribute books, while over 60 businesses, college organizations, and community groups helped prepare thousands of books for students. Family participation at our Saturday sorting sessions also continued to grow, demonstrating the community’s shared commitment to helping children become confident readers.
Special events amplified the program’s reach and impact. More than 1,400 visitors stepped aboard the Book Buddies Bus at the San Antonio Book Festival, while Battle of Flowers activities generated book donations, volunteer support, and media attention. Community partners like Amazon and Downtown Rotary helped create memorable literacy experiences through volunteer projects, book drives, celebrity readers, and investments that directly benefited SAISD students.
The stories we hear from students, families, and teachers remind us why this work matters.
“This was a great opportunity for students to take home books that told me they don’t have at home,” shared a kindergarten teacher at Japhet Elementary.
One SAISD parent reflected on the impact of choice and ownership in reading: “Bringing books home that he selected himself sparked a new level of excitement for reading. After each visit, he couldn’t wait to show me the books he chose and would often start reading them the same day.”
As we look a
head, we’re expanding our reach even further. A new middle school-focused micro-bus will allow us to better serve students in grades 6–8 and reach more PK–8 campuses efficiently. We also plan to increase the number of schools served each week, add more chapter books and Spanish-language titles to our collection, and continue growing community awareness through events, partnerships, and book donation opportunities.
Every book placed in a child’s hands is an investment in their future. Thank you for helping us build strong, proud readers across SAISD, one student, one family, and one story at a time.