Our Story
Everyone deserves access to books, stories, and a literacy-rich community. Every child deserves to discover the joy of reading, writing, and storytelling regardless of zip code. Every community deserves third spaces that help bring people together to engage in discourse.
Park Literacy Project grew out of Park Books & LitCoLab, an independent bookstore with deep roots in Maryland. For years, our stores have been vibrant community gathering spaces. We host more than 200 events a year, partnering with local libraries, organizations, and schools across Anne Arundel, Carroll, Howard and Baltimore counties.
Park Books’ literacy center, The LitCoLab, provides affordable, hands-on, evidence-based reading instruction to families across the region.
Park Literacy Project is the next chapter of our story. Park Literacy Project is a community partner of Park Books of Maryland. Together, we are empowering individuals and communities to broaden perspectives, overcome obstacles and create a more equitable future for all.
We exist to extend our reach – to bring equitable access to books, literacy-rich programming, and to inspire genuine love of learning in every person in the communities we serve.
Six Roots to Literacy
Research and evidence based methodology
Access
Books for all! We give books to readers of all ages. Building home libraries, one reader at a time.
Motivate
Engage! We coordinate author programs that remind readers that books are written by real people. Programming to inspire, teach, and empower.
Support
We provide scholarships to families seeking literacy instruction above and beyond a typical school day. All readers deserve instruction that meets them where they are.
Family
We create accessible, joyful activities in third space environments for the whole family without the pressure or formality.
Connect
We facilitate workshops, book fairs, and school partnerships to connect home, school, and community.
Advocate
We advocate for underserved readers: children, seniors, and community members with little access.
Literacy
Literacy is traditionally defined as the ability to read and write. It is the capacity to identify, understand, and communicate using written materials, forming a foundation for lifelong learning and societal participation.
Beyond reading and writing, literacy has expanded to include:
Digital/Computer Literacy: Effective use of technology and the internet
Financial Literacy: Capability to make informed, effective decisions regarding personal money management, investing, and debt.
Media Literacy: Capacity to source, analyze, evaluate and create media.
Health Literacy: Ability to access, obtain, understand, and advocate for health information and services.
“Before a child can become a reader, they have to want to become one.””
Melody Wukitch
Founder, Park Books & LitCoLab
Donate
Park Literacy Project is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. Your gift is deductible to the full extent allowed by law.
Connect
We’d love to hear from you!
Park Literacy Project 