North Iowa Youth Center Book Giveaway Aims to Inspire Young Readers 

After spending over six months collecting books, volunteer director at the North Iowa Youth Center, Erick Nganyange, is hosting a youth book giveaway this Saturday, July 25. As an avid reader himself, Nganyange aims to encourage reading among elementary and middle schoolers.

This event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 25 at the North Iowa Youth Center, 138 5th St SW, in Mason City. All books are free to take on a first-come, first-served basis. The books are written at an elementary and middle school level and were donated by local schools.

For Nganyange, the event is rooted in a personal passion for reading and a belief in its power to shape young minds. 

“Reading has always been a huge part of my life,” Nganyange said. 

As an avid reader, he said books not only provide knowledge, but also bring joy and help eliminate boredom. He added that books allow children to “go places they’ve never been,” helping expand their imagination beyond their immediate surroundings.

 He believes encouraging children to pick up books instead of screens can have a lasting impact, both academically and personally. Instead of spending an hour watching TV, spending an hour reading a book does more for the brain than one may think.

“Instilling that hobby young will help children excel in much more than just English class,” he said. Nganyange pointed to his own daughter’s growth in reading comprehension as an example of how consistent reading can support success in school.

While Nganyange believes this applies to all children, he said access to reading can be especially important in marginalized communities.

“Once upon a time, it was illegal for a young Black kid to read, because they understood literacy can lead you to freedom,” Nganyange said. 

Nganyange emphasized that understanding the history of restricted literacy among Black Americans gives reading a deeper significance, adding that choosing not to read can feel like a missed opportunity. 

Beyond access, Nganyange said representation also plays a key role in encouraging children to read. He said he is intentional about being seen with books, especially in front of younger kids.

“I want young Black kids to see me reading,” Nganyange said. “I don’t want them to only see athletes or entertainers —I want them to see that reading is something they can enjoy too.”

He believes that when children see people who look like them engaging with books, it helps normalize reading and makes it feel more accessible and appealing.

The book giveaway itself is the result of months of preparation. Nganyange said he has spent over six months collecting donations, gathering between 20 and 30 boxes of books from local schools and community members.

The event will be set up both inside and outside the North Iowa Youth Center, with tables filled with books for students to browse. In addition to free books, cookies and drinks will also be available for attendees.

As this is the first year hosting the event, Nganyange said he is unsure what to expect in terms of turnout, but remains hopeful that families will take advantage of the opportunity.

Nganyange said one of his main goals is to shift how children spend their free time. With the growing presence of technology, he believes many kids are spending more time on screens than with books.

He hopes events like this can help reintroduce reading as a fun and rewarding activity rather than a chore. By allowing children to choose books that interest them, he said they are more likely to develop a lasting habit.

While this is the first year of the book giveaway, Nganyange said he hopes to make it an annual event and continue expanding its reach. He also encourages community members to donate books in the future to help keep the initiative going.

Ultimately, he said his goal is simple: to put more books into the hands of young people and inspire a lifelong love of reading.