Chicago students to get free books in expanding UChicago program

About 8,000 Chicago students are set to get free books to take home this school year as a University of Chicago program expands to include more than a dozen Chicago Public Schools.

University of Chicago President Robert Zimmer and CPS CEO Janice Jackson launched the expanded program, “My Very Own Library,” with a Monday morning pep rally at Fiske Elementary School, 6020 S. Langley Ave.

”The reason this is critically important is because it’s the single most important way to improve academic performance,” Jackson told an auditorium full of elementary students. “If you learn to read just for the sake of reading and for enjoyment, you will see your test scores improve, and more importantly you will see opportunities increase for you. But we know in order for you to do that, you need to have books at your fingertips.”

The program was created in 2011 but brought to Chicago in 2015 at four UChicago charter schools. That’s when the university took it over and expanded the program to a few CPS schools. This year, in addition to more than a dozen other CPS schools, “My Very Own Library” is bringing books to students in five cities around the country and 11 schools in the Dominican Republic.

Though 8,000 kids are only a small fraction of CPS’ 360,000 students, the program could help continue improving reading scores in the district. Officials said they hope to keep expanding the program in the coming years.

As for where to get the books — paid for by the UChicago — the students can grab theirs at their school’s Scholastic Book Fair, where they can choose from a selection of free options.

The CPS schools added to the “My Very Own Library” program include: Ariel Community Academy, Beasley Elementary Magnet Academic Center, Beethoven Elementary School, Carnegie Elementary School, Burke Elementary School, Bret Harte Elementary School, Kenwood Academy Academic Center, Murray Language Academy, Ray Elementary School, Reavis Math and Science School, Shoesmith Elementary School, Till Math and Science Academy, Wadsworth STEM Elementary School, Woodlawn Community Academy.