WAKE Up and Read, which promotes childhood literacy, is collecting books for kids aged 0 to 12 during its annual book drive.

The goal of the 2018 Book Drive is to collect 110,000 books by  Saturday, March 3. The books will be distributed to more than 7,700 Wake County children in 10 elementary schools, 17 early education centers, and community centers for summer reading.

New and gently used books are being collected at locations all over Wake County including the Cary and Morrisville chambers of commerce, MetLife in Cary, and at YMCA of the Triangle locations. Many other area schools and businesses are also collecting for WAKE Up and Read.

WAKE Up and Read conducts a book drive each year to help build home libraries and make books readily available to children who need them. Through the book drive, every child at 10 high need elementary schools and 17 childcare centers can choose 10 books and keep them for their home libraries. Parent literacy sessions are offered to provide suggestions on how to engage children in reading, talking and playing every day.

For more information about WAKE Up and Read, its literacy efforts and the annual book drive, see wakeupandread.org.