We Inspire Kids To Read For Fun!

We seek out and integrate the interests, knowledge, and lived experiences of Black boys and other vulnerable children. Their voices inform our book curation and programming.

The Barbershop Books E-Library features fun storytime videos and high-quality, independently published e-books from diverse authors.

Over the past 3 years, Barbershop Books has developed and piloted groundbreaking reading identity exploration and assessment materials through our Reading So Lit™ program.

In Fall 2023, we will launch the Reading So Lit™ platform for preK-5. This SEL-based reading tool helps children better understand and express their reading preferences. It equips educators and administrators with strengths-based reading data they can use to make student-centered decisions about content, instruction, and learning environments.

Barbershop Books partners with individuals, organizations, city governments, school districts, and library systems to expand reading opportunities for Black boys by creating and supporting fun reading experiences in barbershops.

In our participating barbershops, Black boys are more likely to be observed reading independently than doing any other activity including using a mobile device and are also more likely to identify as readers than boys in shops that don’t participate in the Barbershop Books program.