The West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WePAC) is expanding its School Library Program from 14 to 16 West Philadelphia elementary schools for the 2026–27 school year, widening access to open, functional libraries and literacy resources for local students.

WePAC relies on a volunteer-powered model to reopen and staff elementary school libraries across the area. Volunteers organize library operations, host weekly storytimes, and help students choose books that match their interests and reading levels. During the 2025–26 fiscal year, WePAC operated 14 school libraries, serving 3,388 students weekly, hosting 3,010 library sessions, and circulating 38,609 books with the help of 8,568 volunteer hours.

“We are so excited to add two more partner West Philadelphia schools to our network,” said Jennifer Leith, Executive Director of WePAC. “A school library is more than a room filled with books. It is a place of discovery, imagination, belonging, and possibility. Adding two new school libraries is an opportunity to change the trajectory of hundreds of students.”

“We welcome new volunteers to join us in the libraries!”

To support the expansion, WePAC has launched its 2026 Back-to-School Campaign, “16 Schools. One Big Goal.” Running through September 30, the fundraiser aims to raise $16,000—representing $1,000 for each partner school—to cover library coordination, materials, and operational costs for the upcoming school year. The campaign is also running a 16-school “Roll Call” to highlight each participating school community.

Since 2003, WePAC has worked to expand book access and early literacy opportunities across West Philadelphia through its school library program and as a local affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities or contribute to the Back-to-School Campaign, visit WePAC’s campaign page.