There are many different ways for all members of society to get involved in NBW. Join us from 2 – 8 September as we once again travel through the country to spread the magic of books and reading. Anyone with an interest in promoting reading are encouraged to participate in NBW and to raise awareness around the enjoyment and value of books. Below are ways you can get directly involved with us and some ideas of how you can share the joy of reading with those around you.

#BUYABOOK

Every year, with the help of people, organisations and businesses around the country we’re able to donate thousands of brand-new books to children and adults who need them the most. For a limited time only you’re able to buy a book at just R20 from various outlets around the country, as well as online, and are able to donate this book to our annual NBW drive. More information about our 2019 #BUYABOOK campaign will be released soon.

Organisations and businesses

  • Create awareness about NBW and #BUYABOOK at your company 
  • Donate books through #BUYABOOK or sponsor funds for the SABDC to buy books through #BUYABOOK 
  • Organise visits to local institutions or schools and host storytelling/reading sessions. Maybe donate some books if you can
  • Encourage staff to support #BUYABOOK – it’s only R20, cheaper than your daily cup of coffee. 
  • Challenge other companies to buy more books than your company. 
  • Host a reading day at your office where staff can bring their children to the office for a day of book-centered fun. 
  • Create awareness around National Book Week by posting about it on your platforms, using #NBWturns10 or #BUYABOOK 
  • Share your support and activations with us by sharing them on social media using #NBWturns10 or #BUYABOOK

Libraries

  • Inform your staff about National Book Week and get everyone involved.
  • Get your National Book Week posters from bookweek@sabookcouncil.co.za 
  • Contact your local municipality to find out about the NBW activations taking place in your area and plug into them 
  • Encourage the community and library users to take part in National Book Week by sharing books, encouraging friends to visit the library and reading to their friends and family. 
  • Curate interesting themed book displays to attract new community members. Examples could be gardening, self-help or cooking displays. 
  • Entice more teen readers with displays around pop-culture, graphic and teen novels.
  • Host storytelling or poetry sessions in your library
  •  Reach out to community, religious or youth groups and invite them to the library during NBW. 
  • Create fun activities in the library during NBW to promote reading and books. 
  • Spread the news about National Book Week on social media by using #NBWturns10 and encourage people to take part in #BUYABOOK

Community social groups

  • Inform your staff about National Book Week and get everyone involved.
  • Get your National Book Week posters from bookweek@sabookcouncil.co.za 
  • Invite elders in the community to come tell stories in your space 
  • Create fun activities and events around books, reading, storytelling and poetry.
  • Tell people about #BUYABOOK
  • Collaborate with your local library during NBW
  • Encourage your community to read books
  • Share your activities with us on social media buy using #NBWturns10. 
  • Tell people on your social media platforms about #BUYABOOK.

Schools and learning institutions

  • Encourage everyone on campus to get involved by reading books or taking part in #BUYABOOK
  • Organise visits to under-privileged schools and share stories or books.
  • Inform your staff about National Book Week and get everyone involved.
  • Get your National Book Week posters from bookweek@sabookcouncil.co.za
  • Host fun book-related sessions or events such as motivational talks at your school.
  • Encourage learners to dress up as their favorite character from a book.
  • Have reading hour, or storytelling sessions.
  • Invite outsiders to come share stories or poetry at your school.
  • Create your own NBW activities and invite other schools in the area to join.
  • Share your activities with us on social media by using #NBWturns10 or #BUYABOOK.
  • Encourage learners and staff to share information about NBW on their social media by using the hashtags.

Individuals

  • #BUYABOOK for R20 and donate it to our book drive. 
  • Share information with friends and family about NBW. 
  • Have storytelling time in your home. 
  • Get involved with your local library and encourage them to host NBW activities. 
  • Buy your child or a child less-fortunate in your area a book. 
  • Share information about NBW on your social media platforms using #NBWturns10 or #BUYABOOK. 
  • Host a book-centered sleep over with your kids and their friends or cousins. 
  • Start a book club in your community. 
  • Challenge your friends to read faster than you or to beat your donation to #BUYABOOK. 
  • Talk to family and friends about why reading is so fundamental.

We partner with local municipalities to host events in all nine provinces during National Book Week. These events are tailored to suit the needs of each individual community, hosted in the spoken vernacular with prominent and respected figures from each area as ambassadors or entertainment. A full programme of these events will be made available closer to the time. 

We’d like to thank all our hosts and partners for their continued support and help in this regard.

See a full list here.