High School robotics team members in Dubuque are collecting and distributing books for their peers who need them most.

The Bots and Books Community Book Drive is a local initiative aimed at expanding literacy and access to reading materials for young people across the Dubuque area. Organized by the Servos Strike Back robotics team in partnership with United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States, the drive is collecting gently used books for readers from Pre-K through age 18. Donations are being accepted through May 13 at two convenient locations: the United Way Main Office on West 6th Street and The Forum on Chaney Road. Organizers welcome a variety of book types, including picture books, chapter books, and graphic novels. They ask that donated items be in good condition and not include damaged books, textbooks, or encyclopedias. All collected books will be redistributed to local readers this summer, helping ensure more children and teens have access to the resources they need to learn, grow, and thrive.

The need for initiatives like this is significant. By the age of 3, there is a 30-million-word gap between children from lower-income families and those from middle- or upper-income households. Additionally, 2 out of 10 children enter kindergarten with skills that are 2 to 3 years below grade level, while another 2 out of 10 start with a one-year disadvantage. These children often come from households with limited access to age-appropriate books, and those who start behind are more likely to remain behind, leading to increased risks of dropping out of school, unemployment, and ongoing poverty.