By Dr. Sharifa Akila Trinay Parr, CEO, Revision Publishing, LLC
On Saturday, August 22, 2026, RP Books is partnering with the City of Pittsburg, the Pittsburg Library, H.A.L.O. Angel Ears, It’s Time to Read and the Children’s Book Project to host Stories in the Square—a massive, free community book exchange and literacy celebration. Our goal is to transform John Buckley Square into an outdoor reading hub where every book can find a new reader!
We would love your help spreading the word to the community so they can join in, pick up some free books, or donate to the exchange.
Event Highlights:
- The Community Book Exchange: Attendees are encouraged to browse and take books home for free. The Children’s Book Project provided free books specifically for children (while supplies last).
- In-Store Family Activities: Inside RP Books, we will have a packed schedule of free activities, including:
- A reading confidence session facilitated by H.A.L.O. Angel Ears (reading assistance dogs) at 11:00 AM.
- A special Story Time at 12:00 PM with guest author/illustrator ZaRinah T. Perry, reading her book If Elephants Had Wings.
- An interactive reading of Too Much Glue hosted by Simone Delk, director of It’s Time to Read, at 1:00 PM, followed by a hands-on art activity for kids.
- Outdoor Reading: Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic lunches to enjoy reading together in John Buckley Square.
How the Community Can Get Involved:
- Attend & Pick Up Books: The event is completely free and open to the public from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. No donations are required to come and take books home!
- Donate Books: We are inviting families, book clubs, and local organizations to bring new or gently used books to RP Books between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM on the day of the event. For those bringing large donations (20+ books), we ask that they register their donation in advance here to help us prepare.
Event Details at a Glance:
- What: Stories in the Square – The Pittsburg Community Book Exchange hosted by RP Books
- When: Saturday, August 22 | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Where: RP Books – 485 Railroad Avenue, Pittsburg, adjacent John Buckley Square
- Cost: Free
RP Books of Revision Publishing, LLC, is more than a bookstore; we are a community-focused cultural hub operating under Revision Publishing LLC in Old Town Pittsburg, CA. We are proud to carry forward the rich legacy of the former Railroad Book Depot, building upon its foundation to serve a new generation of readers and writers. We are black-owned, woman-owned and community-centered.
H.A.L.O. (Homeless Animals Lifeline Organization) Angel Ears Reading Education Assistance Dog (READ) teams volunteer in East Bay, CA county libraries and work with children to improve their reading confidence.
It’s Time To Read is a specialized reading program in Contra Costa County which guides children from TK through second grade on their journey to becoming confident, enthusiastic readers. Through personalized attention and proven techniques, we help young learners build the strong literacy foundations they need to succeed in school and beyond.
Children’s Book Project gives books or free to children from under-resourced communities who need them for literacy, learning and life and is committed to closing the opportunity gap and lifting up our community by raising readers and ultimately paving the way for lifelong learning and literacy.
The Contra Costa County Library Pittsburg branch is located at 80 Power Avenue, Pittsburg and is open Tuesdays through Saturdays.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
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