Cleveland City Schools, in partnership with Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation (GELF), proudly announces the launch of its first-ever Book Bus, a mobile library designed to deliver free books and literacy resources to children and families across the area. Cleveland City Schools is one of 41 local partners across Tennessee awarded a Book Bus grant from GELF in 2025.
"We are thrilled to bring the Book Bus to Cleveland and provide access to high-quality literacy resources for all students in our community," said Dr. Jeff Elliott, Director of Schools. "This initiative reflects our district’s commitment to our belief that every child deserves the opportunity to fall in love with reading, wherever they are."
Through GELF’s Book Bus program, school districts transform decommissioned school buses into vibrant mobile libraries, outfitted with shelving, seating, and engaging literacy materials. These buses travel to neighborhoods, parks, and community events, especially in areas that may lack easy access to public libraries or bookstores. Many partner with local organizations that provide services such as meals, health care, or family support, creating a hub of learning and care.
According to a study by New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, 45% of children in the U.S. live in neighborhoods without adequate access to books. The Book Bus helps close this gap by bringing books directly to children and encouraging consistent reading habits, even outside the school year.
GELF’s Book Bus program, launched in 2018, supports mobile literacy across Tennessee as part of its broader mission to strengthen early literacy. In addition to Book Buses, GELF’s programs include book delivery for children birth to five through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, K–3 Home Libraries, Caregiver Engagement, and Storybook Trails.
“We are very proud of the Book Bus program and are grateful for the local partners in every community who make this initiative possible,” said James Pond, GELF President. “By bringing mobile libraries directly to Tennessee neighborhoods, we want to meet kids where they are, where they play, where they live - with the resources they need to continue reading and learning outside of the classroom.”
GELF provides two annual grant opportunities to help communities launch or expand Book Bus initiatives. Funding support comes from corporate partners like Delta Dental of Tennessee. To date, GELF has supported more than 60 Book Buses statewide.
To learn more about GELF’s Book Bus program or find a mobile library near you, visit www.GovernorsFoundation.org or email bookbus@governorsfoundation.org.
Pictured from left to right: Christy Duncan (ESL Supervisor), Kellye Bender (CCS Supervisor of Elementary Education and School Counseling), Dr. Sharon Harper (Director, Southeast Center of Regional Excellence, TDOE), Dr. Leneda Laing (CCS Supervisor of Secondary Education), Meghan Blackmon (CCS Instructional Support Specialist), and Lisa Wiley (back, CCS Resource Coordinator).