Youth & Student Programs
Inspiring readers. Elevating young voices.
Greensboro Bound connects young people with books, authors, and opportunities to discover the power of their own voices.
Through partnerships with Guilford County Schools, NC A&T State University, and other community partners, our programs reach students from their earliest classroom experiences through high school, creating meaningful connections with reading, writing, and storytelling.
Authors Engaging Students
Bringing writers and books into the classroom.
Through our partnership with Guilford County Schools, Authors Engaging Students (AES) connects students with diverse authors through virtual visits and in-person experiences. Students have the opportunity to engage directly with the people behind the books they read and see themselves reflected in the stories being shared.
Representation is central to the program. With more than 70 percent of GCS students identifying as non-white, Greensboro Bound intentionally selects authors whose identities and experiences reflect the students they reach. When students see themselves in both the characters and the authors, reading becomes more personal, engaging, and meaningful.
The impact extends beyond the author's visit. GCS research showed significant increases in library circulation:
Up 767% for the specific title featured in the program
Up 84% for the body of work of a participating author
Overall circulation up 35% at participating schools compared to non-participating schools.
And since 2018, Greensboro Bound book donations have totaled more than $230,000.
AES by the Numbers
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383,500+
students served
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14,000+
books gifted
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860+
schools served
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100+
participating authors
Pre-K Authors Engaging Students
Starting the story early.
Recognizing the importance of early literacy, Greensboro Bound expanded the AES program to include pre-K students through a collaboration with GCS Early Learning, Ready for School, Ready for Life (Ready/Ready), and Scuppernong Books. This program introduces young learners to the joy of reading through carefully selected books and engaging author presentations.
Children enjoy virtual visits with authors, while every participating classroom receives carefully selected picture books that align with instructional goals. The program serves all 101 Guilford County Schools Pre-K and Pre-K Special Education classrooms, introducing young learners to books and storytelling in engaging, age-appropriate ways
Children’s Book Festival
A new celebration created especially for young readers.
Greensboro Bound and NC A&T State University's College of Education Department of Educator Preparation are joining forces for the Aggies READ / Greensboro Bound Children's Book Festival.
This new festival brings together children's authors, educators, young readers, and families for a day centered on books, imagination, and the joy of reading.
Save the Date for April 17, 2027 (more details to come)
“The program was such a valuable experience to me ... as a person, a learner, [and] a poet.”
HS Poet Laureate Program
Giving young writers a voice and a place to use it.
Open to high school students throughout Guilford County, the Greensboro Bound High School Poet Laureate Program gives young writers opportunities to develop their craft, workshop original poetry, perform their work, and receive feedback from professional writers and educators.
Founded in 2003 by the Greensboro Public Library and Guilford County Schools, the program has been sponsored by Greensboro Bound since 2019. Today, partnerships with NC A&T State University and the Guilford Association of School Librarians have expanded the program from a one-time performance into a hands-on, multi-session learning experience. Laureates conclude their experience by presenting their work at the annual Greensboro Bound Book Festival.
At the Festival each year, one student is selected as the Greensboro Bound High School Poet Laureate, representing their peers through public performances and community events.