Through our Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation Book Bus program, we partner with school systems and other nonprofit agencies to create mobile libraries that provide children and families with access to high-quality resources. Our role is to amplify the Book Bus Program by providing our grantees with financial assistance and best practices for launching the bus, engaging the community, and connecting book bus operators from across the state. If you are interested in launching a Book Bus or other mobile book vehicle, such as a retrofitted van, trailer- or even food truck- in your community, please see below for more information on our grant process and a best practices handbook for implementing a Book Bus program.
GELF Best Practices Handbook
The below guide outlines the process and questions to consider for launching a Book Bus with suggested steps and timeline for engaging your school system or nonprofit agency and initiating community partnerships. In expanding this program, we do have branding guidelines and requirements for marketing and reporting. Guidelines and requirements will be outlined in a grant agreement and signed by the school system or partner agency upon partnership execution. The local school system or partnering nonprofit agency will be held responsible for retrofitting the bus or mobile book vehicle and coordinating with school staff and other local partners.
- Let’s Get Rolling: Book Bus Handbook: Click here to download.
Book Bus Program Indication of Interest Form
Those who complete the Book Bus Indication of Interest Form are interested in launching a new Book Bus but are still in the planning stages and do NOT anticipate beginning operations by Summer 2024. GELF can better provide potential assistance, funding, and guidance if your school system or non-profit organization provides information on program contact individual(s), current status of your program’s project development, projected service area, projected launch date, and committed area funding partners and sponsors for the program.
- Book Bus Program Indication of Interest Form: Click here to submit.
2024 GELF Book Bus Grant Opportunities
Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation offers two different grants to support book buses. The Accelerate Grant is ‘geared’ for brand new bus programs. The Refuel Grant is ‘geared’ for buses that have been serving Tennessee families for at least two years. Please click on the links below for more information on both grant opportunities.
Accelerate Grant
Those who apply for a 2024 Accelerate Grant are seeking funding to launch a new Book Bus no later than summer 2025. To learn more about the 2024 grant requirements, go here. Our Book Bus Grant season for 2024 closed on April 30, 2024; be sure to watch for updates on our 2025 grant cycle in Spring 2025, and to join our email mailing list, simply reach out to bookbus@governorsfoundation.org.
Refuel Grant
Those who apply for a 2024 Refuel Grant have been operating their book bus programs for at least two years and are seeking funding to help with their summer 2024 expenses. (Please note: This grant is available to book buses every two years. For example, if you were awarded a Refuel Grant in 2023, you are not eligible to reapply until 2025.) To learn more about the 2024 grant requirements, go here. Our Book Bus Grant season for 2024 closed on April 30, 2024; be sure to watch for updates on our 2025 grant cycle in Spring 2025, and to join our email mailing list, simply reach out to bookbus@governorsfoundation.org.