# Italy Launches 11th Edition of #ioleggoperché Literacy Campaign National initiative aims to boost school libraries through public book donations across Italy. - **Source:** [ANSA – Top News](https://www.ansa.it) - **Published:** 2026-11-05 - **Topic:** [culture](https://brifing.si/c/culture) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/95dab800-00fa-43c9-915a-73385144b7c6 ## National Literacy Campaign Launch The eleventh edition of #ioleggoperché officially begins on November 7, marking a significant milestone under the High Patronage of the President of the Republic. This social initiative, organized by the Italian Publishers Association, focuses on strengthening school libraries nationwide by encouraging citizens to purchase and donate books to participating educational institutions. ## Scope and Participation Scale The campaign involves 30,610 schools and, for the first time, 4,004 nurseries across Italy. Citizens can visit any of the 4,135 participating bookstores to contribute. This massive mobilization impacts over 4.4 million children and students, supported by more than 110,000 twinning arrangements between specific schools and local bookstores to facilitate donations. ## Presidential Recognition and Support For the first time, the initiative operates under the High Patronage of the President of the Republic, elevating its national status. AIE President Innocenzo Cipolletta emphasized that this recognition validates ten years of collective effort. The project also receives ongoing support from the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Education. ## Strategic Book Distribution Plan Beyond public donations, publishers will contribute 100,000 additional volumes at the campaign's conclusion. These books are specifically earmarked for schools in Calabria, Sardinia, and Molise. These regions were selected because they have historically benefited less from the project, ensuring a more equitable distribution of educational resources across the entire Italian territory. ## Sports and Cultural Integration The campaign integrates sports culture through partnerships with Serie A Women and Serie C football leagues. During matches on November 7, 8, 14, and 15, team captains and referees will carry books onto the field to present to children. This collaboration aims to bridge the gap between athletic events and reading habits. ## Ambassadors and Creative Outreach Prominent figures including Julio Velasco, Rudy Zerbi, and Sofia Goggia serve as ambassadors for the 2026 edition, themed 'A Community That Grows.' Additionally, illustrator Pietro Puccio will lead a creative workshop on November 7 at the Mondadori Bookstore in Milan, with selected works showcased later at the BookCity Milano event. ## Role of Volunteer Messengers Volunteer 'Messengers' return to bookstores to assist the public in selecting appropriate titles for donation. These passionate readers, including adult students and teachers, provide guidance on how the initiative functions. Their presence ensures that donors can make informed choices, effectively connecting community members with the specific needs of local school libraries. ## Long-term Educational Impact By fostering a direct link between bookstores, schools, and the public, the initiative addresses systemic gaps in library resources. The consistent growth in participation reflects a deepening commitment to literacy. Future success will depend on maintaining these school-bookstore partnerships and ensuring that donated volumes reach the most underserved educational communities effectively. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/cultura/libri/2026/11/05/ioleggoperche-al-via-il-7-novembre-sotto-lalto-patronato-del-capo-dello-stato_5bd974f4-1746-4602-9ae0-d17b12ac5a3d.html — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._