Brittany Kelley
KYLE — A Kyle woman has been supporting literacy in Central Texas for two years — only this time, it’s back, with a new name: The Big Book Give.
“Like many parts of rapidly growing Kyle, my neighborhood was still under development and filled with many people who had recently relocated and didn't know anyone. There wasn't much of a sense of community,” explained Leah Kaufman, who stated she finds it easier to socialize when there is a shared goal.
So, Kaufman began searching for literary nonprofits, since it has always been something she supported in the past and is near and dear to her heart.
Reading has been a big part of Kaufman’s life, as, growing up, her family didn’t have a lot, but one thing that was always present in their home was books, whether from a library or programs that provided books to families.
Her research led to the only literacy nonprofit that she could find in the area — Bookspring.
According to the nonprofit's website, Bookspring is “the leading Central Texas organization focusing on building literacy skills and the motivation to read through increasing home libraries and reading aloud activities for children.”
Following a Facebook post and several teachers and nurses volunteering to help, the Kyle-Buda Book Drive, now known as The Big Book Give, hosted its first collection in November 2023.
Although they managed to gather approximately 1,300 books the first year, Kaufman explained that it was difficult to get started, since community members were initially skeptical, but then, the Buda Fire Department signed on to help collect and it quickly grew from there.
“It just snowballed. People see you doing something and then, the more people join, the more they want to join,” Kaufman said.
The first year led to the creation of a book club, with the people who aided in the cause, and, now, it supports the drive each year.
Since then, the Kyle Fire Department has volunteered to collect books, along with the Buda Lions Club, the Hays High School Leo Club and Buda Scout Troop #128.
According to Kaufman, the scouts end up participating as a way to get involved in community service.
The drive has only grown over the past two years, with 3,000 books collected in 2024 and a goal of 5,000 for 2025.
Currently, Kaufman expects that there have been more than 1,000 books collected since their effort began in November.
The Big Book Give collects new and gently-used books, ranging from children’s picture books to young adult and adult fiction. Community members can drop off books to the following collection sites:
• Progress Coffee Buda, 750 FM 2001
• Buda Fire Station #2, 151 FM 2001
• Buda Fire Station #3, 3502 RM 967
• Kyle Fire Station #1, 210 W. Moore St.
• Kyle Fire Station #2, 150 Bunton Creek Road
Additionally, students who attend Hays High School can take donations with them, but it does not serve as a public donation site.
The Big Book Give will be accepting donations until Monday, Dec. 15. Afterwards, the books will be driven to Bookspring in Austin, where they will be distributed to families — 400 in Hays County — through various programs.
“Kids who grow up surrounded by books are more likely to develop stronger literacy skills and are twice as likely to graduate high school. When our community comes together to donate books, we’re not just giving pages, we're opening doors to opportunities kids might not otherwise have,” emphasized Kaufman.
She also shared that Progress Coffee + Beer’s owner, Joshua Benson, has been a big supporter throughout the years and will allow the drive to occupy a corner from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its Saturday, Dec. 13, Christmas Market, as a last push for collection.
Texas ranks 40th in the United States for adult literacy with 81%, according to Literacy Texas, and 19% of adults lack basic prose literacy skills. So, Kaufman stated that this is an opportunity for individuals in the community to make an impact.
“Without that love of books, I'm not sure I would have had as easy a path from childhood to college to career,” said Kaufman. “Books were a bright spot in my childhood, they expanded my world, were windows to adventure and showed me a million paths I might not have seen as a kid growing up in a smallish Colorado town, not dissimilar to Kyle.”
Organizations interested in hosting as a donation site, can email Kaufman at [email protected] for more information.
