I’ve just learned about this cool opportunity to promote literacy in your community. World Book Night, observed on April 23, is an annual celebration designed to spread a love of reading and books.This event was launched in the UK last year, and was so popular that this year one million books will be distributed by 50,000 volunteers throughout the United States.

Before February 1st, you can apply to be one of the volunteers to hand out 20 copies of a pre-selected recently popular book at a location of your choice (for example homeless shelters, senior centers, casinos, shopping malls. The books are shipped to a local library or bookstore, so all you have to do is pick them up in advance of the event and distribute them the night of the event.

For more information and to apply, check out http://www.us.worldbooknight.org/.