Published December 6, 2012

Would you like to spread some joy by giving away books to complete strangers – people who may never have owned a book of their own? World Book Night 2013 will make it possible, at no cost to you.

World Book Night 2013 is a celebration of literacy by publishers, bookstores, libraries and individuals who love books and reading. U.S. libraries and bookstores have formed a nationwide distribution network to promote this literacy event. U.S. book givers handed out half a million books in 5,800 towns and cities in 2012.

On World Book Night 2013, some 25,000 “book givers” will give away 20 copies of a specially printed, not-for-resale World Book Night edition book to occasional or non-readers. Here’s how it works:

1. Fill out the World Book Night online application at www.us.worldbooknight.org and click on “Apply to be a Giver.” It provides more details about the program.
2. You can indicate your book choice, why you wish to share them and where you will personally hand out the books. Deadline to apply is January 23, 2013.
3. Book givers will pick up their books on April 15, 2012, at the Library Station, or on April 18 at the Library Center.
4. On April 23, book givers join the national celebration by distributing their books to strangers in their community to promote literacy and a love of books.
5. After April 23, World Book Night invites you to revisit the place you handed out books and get feedback from the book recipients, such as what they thought about the book you shared with them.

World Book Night is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, and a registered trademark of World Book Night Global. It is endorsed by the American Library Association.