Pages to Purpose is a reading and service initiative that challenges students to transform their reading experiences into catalysts for action. Instead of leaving stories on the page, students connect what they read to real-world issues such as food insecurity, neurodiversity, or the environment, and then join together in hands-on service projects that make a tangible difference in their communities. By weaving together literacy, empathy, leadership, and engagement, Pages to Purpose cultivates the next generation of leaders, empowering young people to recognize that their voices and actions matter. The program builds community, fosters authentic partnerships, and provides a replicable model for libraries and schools seeking to transform reading into shared civic purpose. Attendees will leave this session with a ready-to-use toolkit to launch the program immediately in their own setting.
With the surge of interest in project-based learning (PBL), educators and librarians are seeking authentic ways to connect academic content to real-world impact. Pages to Purpose responds to this demand by transforming reading into a springboard for civic action. A commitment to healthy, successful futures is clear through student-centered programming that includes diverse genres and voices providing multiple perspectives and engaging the community in a shared commitment to problem-solving. This offers opportunities for building and bolstering strong relationships that are part of the ecosystem of children, literacy, and libraries, an ALSC Strategic Initiative.
