Literati to donate thousands of books to kids during school shutdown

AUSTIN, Texas - Literati will be distributing thousands of books to kids next week while schools are shut down due to COVID-19.

The Austin-based children's book subscription company plans to distribute books to families alongside Austin ISD at five elementary schools, a different one each day, throughout Austin March 23-27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Literati representatives will be set up alongside food services and as families drive through to pick up lunch, they will also be given age-appropriate books.

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Literati will be set up at the following schools:

Monday, March 23: Dawson Elementary, 3001 S 1st St, Austin
Tuesday, March 24: Pleasant Hill Elementary, 6405 Circle S Rd, Austin
Wednesday, March 25: Perez Elementary, 7500 S. Pleasant Valley Rd, Austin
Thursday, March 26: Houston Elementary, 5409 Ponciana Dr, Austin
Friday, March 27: Linder Elementary, 2800 Metcalfe Rd, Austin

Literati says it plans to donate 30,000 books back to the Austin community and will be partnering with different organizations around the city to ensure kids are still reading.

Abbott declaration closes Texas schools until April 3

Even though students will not physically be able to enter campuses until then, schools in Texas still intend on providing the same services as before, including an education and, if necessary, a meal.

On Thursday, Gov. Greg Abbott issued a public health disaster, the first in Texas since 1901. The executive orders, which take effect at midnight Friday, March 20 and go through midnight on Friday, April 3, will bring the state in line with CDC guidelines to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Texas declares public health disaster, closes restaurant dining rooms and schools

The orders take effect at midnight and will go through midnight on April 3.

The public health disaster orders schools to be closed statewide until at least April 3. The disaster also orders a ban on dine-in eating and gathering in groups of more than 10 as the state ramps up efforts to battle the coronavirus. Abbott's order also will shut down gyms and bars. It also bans visits to nursing and retirement homes unless there is a critical need.

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