Hachette Book Group employees around the world came together July 9 for a global day of service focused on one goal: helping children develop a lifelong love of reading.
Employees from Hachette’s English-language offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Ireland, India, Australia and Canada participated in volunteer activities supporting the company’s Raising Readers campaign, an initiative focused on addressing the decline in children reading for pleasure.
The effort brought employees together with more than a dozen literacy organizations and 170 bookstores. Hachette Book Group also donated thousands of books to Raising Readers partners through the volunteer activities.
Volunteer projects varied by community. Employees read to children in hospital waiting rooms and bookstores, supported summer reading programs, organized libraries and program spaces, and helped prepare book donations for children in underserved communities.
Employees were also encouraged to create their own Raising Readers volunteer projects. Some chose to volunteer at local libraries, donate books or help build Little Free Libraries in their communities.
The initiative is part of Hachette’s broader Changing the Story business pillar and reflects the company’s commitment to expanding children’s access to books.
David Shelley, CEO of Hachette Book Group and Hachette UK, said reading for pleasure has a significant influence on a child’s future, while noting that millions of children around the world lack access to books.
The company’s commitment extends beyond the single volunteer day. Hachette has pledged to curate classroom libraries for at least 200 underfunded schools and educational programs located in book deserts, with the goal of giving at least 50,000 students sustained access to books.
All Hachette Book Group offices also created “reader” bracelets to accompany classroom library donations to local Title I schools.
The company has already reached several milestones in its Raising Readers campaign. As Hachette marks the halfway point of 2026, it has fulfilled its 200th anniversary commitment to invest $200,000 in Raising Readers. The company has also supported 200 classroom libraries, mobilized more than 200 volunteers to provide reading and literacy support and begun launching 200 Little Free Libraries in book deserts in partnership with Macmillan Publishers.
Community organizations participating in the volunteer day highlighted the impact of the employees’ hands-on work.
At Barbershop Books, volunteers helped organize books, assemble bookshelves and write thank-you cards for donors. The organization said the resources will support 67 local barbershop partners in New York City and Philadelphia and reach thousands of young boys each month.
Tree House Books also credited Hachette volunteers with helping its team manage a major day of programming and community work.
The Raising Readers campaign will continue throughout the year. On July 21, Hachette and its partners plan to release a public service announcement addressing the decline in children’s reading and encouraging adults to make reading part of children’s daily lives.
As the 2026-2027 school year approaches, Hachette is also targeting 200 author visits to classrooms, offering students opportunities to participate in virtual or in-person author sessions and read-alouds.