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Bright Lights Book Project
Board Member

Closing Date

01/29/2026

Current Position Description

Board Member

The Bright Lights Book Project seeks new board members

The Bright Lights Book Project seeks board members to join our efforts to increase literacy in the Mat-Su Valley and beyond. The BLBP is currently an all-volunteer organization; many of our board members help with sorting, cleaning, categorizing, and distributing free books to our many bookcases around the Valley, but we are moving from a working board toward a policy board where members provide service through board governance and fundraising.

We make free books available to appreciative readers of all ages at our over 40 bookcases and tiny libraries. Bookcases that are located in area businesses, government buildings, and Palmer and Wasilla schools. Last year we gave away over 70,000 books. The bookcases are located in places frequented by the general public and by students. The books are free and need not be returned. Recipients include those of all ages, genders, and reading levels, with a focus being on providing books to children and young adults. We also ship books to villages off the road system. For FY24 we received a grant through Senator Lisa Murkowski to ship books to villages, and we have been included in Sen. Murkowski’s requests for a similar allocation in FY26.

Although we are positioning the organization to capture some earned revenue, we are primarily funded through grants (both restricted and non-restricted) and personal donations. This October will mark the fourth year that we have been recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization, so we are a young organization that has experienced rapid growth. Future plans include hiring staff and owning our own facility. If you are concerned about Alaska’s low literacy rates among school-aged children, join us and help make a difference.

Position Type

Board of Directors: Voluntary, legal governing body of a nonprofit.

Current areas of focus for board recruitment

Finance, Fundraising, Legal

Mission / Core Purpose / Core Values

Mission: To put free books into the hands of appreciative readers.

Vision: Envisioning the power of literacy to change lives.

Bright Lights Book Project volunteers often hear from parents and teachers that the reason why students are less apt to read is because parents can’t afford to purchase books. We are addressing this need by making free books available to children and adults. In fact, parents are now telling us that their children are "growing up with the Bright Lights Book Project."

According to National Assessment of Educational Progress, Alaska currently has the lowest reading proficiency rate in the nation for fourth grade students. We are helping to counter this deficiency by making free books available to area school children.

Briefly describe your board culture.

Our board members all have a lot of board experience. We are careful to keep separate our board (policy/governance) role from our hands-on volunteer role(s). Members generally find it exciting to be involved at various levels in the organization. We're friends; many board members socialize outside of their efforts working on the project.

Why is board diversity important to this organization?

Bright Lights Book Project Non-Discrimination Policy

It is the policy and commitment of the Bright Lights Book Project to not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion, disability, weight, sex or gender (including pregnancy or gender expression), sexual orientation, education level, literacy competency, military or veteran status, genetic information, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, prior or current civil rights activity, or the intersection of these identities or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law, herein called “protected categories.”

Report Harassment
Any board member, volunteer, client, employee, free bookcase location, or any other person or entity affiliated with the Bright Lights Book Project who believes that he/she/they has been discriminated against is strongly encouraged to report this concern promptly to the BLBP Executive Director or a BLBP Board Member.

Discriminatory Harassment
Harassment or intimidation of anyone within the organization or the public because of that person’s identification with any of the above listed protected categories is specifically prohibited and may be grounds for separation from the organization. Harassment and intimidation include abusive, foul, or threatening language or behavior.

Equal Employment and Volunteer Opportunity
The Bright Lights Book Project is committed to a policy of equal employment and volunteer opportunity and does not discriminate in the terms, conditions, or privileges of employment on account of any of the above listed protected categories.

Link to diversity statement.

https://www.brightlightsbookproject.org/About.html

Board Meeting Location

Eagle Hotel, Palmer, AK

Online meeting optional?

Yes

Number of board meetings / year including retreats

12

Average hours per month?

8

Are there term limits?

No

Board terms (years)

3

What is the total length of time of potential service?

3+

Primary language spoken in board room.

English

Please describe any giving and/or fundraising expectations of your board members.

All board members are expected to make a yearly donation appropriate to their means.

Are travel expenses related to board service reimbursed? If so explain.

NO

Is there any additional information you would like prospective board members to know?

The Bright Lights Book Project is working to increase literacy in the State of Alaska. Education is recognized as a key indicator of the economic, social, and cultural success of any state. In a study commissioned by the Barbara Bush Foundation for Literacy, it was determined that, “Low levels of adult literacy could be costing the U.S. as much $2.2 trillion a year” (Forbes, Sep 9, 2020). Thus, there is a strong connection between literacy rates and an individual’s, a community’s, and a state’s economic success. Yet, Alaska has among the highest school dropout rates of any state in the U.S. Those who are incarcerated are disproportionately illiterate and less likely to have graduated from high school; one study found that those who drop out of high school are 3.5 times more likely to be arrested than high school graduates, and nationally, 68 percent of all males in prison do not have a high school diploma (Bureau of Justice Statistics, January 2003). Despite Alaska’s high dropout rates and low fourth grade reading scores, the state as a whole has a higher-than-average literacy rate (second highest in the nation at 87.3%, compared to a national average of 80.8%, https://wisevoter.com/state-rankings/literacy-rate-by-state). Nor does Alaska have anywhere near the highest rate of incarceration (38th out of 50). The incongruity between current fourth grade reading scores and the statewide literacy rate may be due to two factors: fourth grade reading proficiency test scores have dropped by eight points over 2003 scores (https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/reading/states/scores/?grade=4), and many of Alaska’s adult residents were educated in other states. Thus, for the state to continue to see benefits from a higher-than-average literacy rate, reading must be promoted as the norm among both adults and children. And this is why the BLBP gives away free books and promotes reading.

Address

13329 E Oceanview RD
Palmer AK 99645
Website: https://www.brightlightsbookproject.orgWebsite

Organization Info

EIN: 87-3365439
Year of Incorporation: 2022
Location: Matanuska - Susitna Valley
Focus: Youth & Education
Operating Budget: Under $100,000
Number of Staff: 0
Number of Board Members: 5
Guidestar page: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/87-3365439

Contacts

Primary Contact for Board Recruitment:
Pete Praetorius

Executive Director:
Alys Culhane