United Way of Kootenai County is participating in the United Way Week of Action Book Drive, a statewide effort to combat summer learning loss.

All Idaho residents are asked to donate new and gently used books to support the cause and help United Way reach its book collection goal of 100,000 books.

The book drive offers community members, corporate partners, small businesses, faith and civic organizations a way to support United Way's ongoing focus on education and improving lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities to advance the common good.

Karen Troxel, principal of Atlas Elementary School in Coeur d'Alene and a United Way of Kootenai County board member, said the local agency is thrilled to be participating.

"From an elementary school perspective, we recognize the value of helping local children in need and we wholeheartedly support the United Way Week of Action Book Drive," Troxel said in a press release. "It is an ideal outlet for raising awareness for summer learning loss and helping local low-income children."

According to Book It Forward, a Boise-based nonprofit, Idaho low-income homes average just one book for every 300 children. Statistics from the "Journal for Education of Students Placed at Risk" show access to books makes a difference. At-risk kids who have books score significantly higher in reading than those who don't.

Books are being collected now through June 12. They will be distributed from June 15-19.

Local book collection spots include:

• Boys & Girls Club of Kootenai County, 200 W. Mullan Ave., Post Falls

• Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce, 105 N. First St.

• Coeur d'Alene Public Library, 702 E. Front Ave.

• Dance Theatre Northwest, Rathdrum

• Hayden Library, 8385 N. Government Way, Hayden

• Heritage Health, 1090 W. Park Place, Coeur d'Alene

• Salvation Army Kroc Center, 1765 W. Golf Course Road, Coeur d'Alene)

• Super 1 Foods, six North Idaho locations

• The Well-Read Moose, 2048 N. Main St., Coeur d'Alene)

• United Way of Kootenai County, 501 E Lakeside Ave. No.3, Coeur d'Alene)

• University of Idaho - Coeur d'Alene, 1031 N. Academic Way

• US Bank branches statewide

• Windermere Coeur d'Alene Realty, 1000 Northwest Blvd., Coeur d'Alene and 1616 E. Seltice Way, Post Falls

For more information about United Way Week of Action Book Drive or to locate a book dropoff location near you, visit KootenaiUnitedWay.org/bookdrive or contact Jeanette Laster at 208-667-8112 or Jeanette@KootenaiUnitedWay.org.