Project Cicero

Project Cicero is an annual non-profit book collection and redistribution, designed to create - or supplement - school and classroom libraries for children in under-resourced New York City public schools.

Since its inception in 2001, Project Cicero has distributed 4,000,000 new and gently used books to 20,000 New York City classrooms and libraries, reaching 1,000,000 students. 

Each year, 1,200 NYC public school teachers come to collect books for FREE, and on average will take back 100+ books to their respective schools. The teachers come from all five boroughs and bringing a suitcase during their weekend time, make the extra effort to bring these books back to their students.

The process of collecting 150,000 books each year is reliant on tremendous volunteer efforts by students, parents, teachers , groups including girl scouts, religious, alumni, service, corporate , other New Yorkers looking for volunteer involvements, and more. The event could not happen without the extraordinary breadth and industriousness of volunteers.

Project Cicero receives major support from The New York Society Library, Vornado Realty Trust, Blackstone, RXR Realty, Morgan Stanley, St. James Church, Corbin Capital, and other generous donors.