Next-Level Impact: How Peninsula Book Collaborative Continues to Expand Its Horizons
Guest Post by Raquel España, Founder & Executive Director of Peninsula Book Collaborative
In the fall of 2023, a small dream of having a nonprofit bookstore came to life with the motto: books, access, community. With the belief that books should be celebrated as tools for growth and connection, we are both a bookstore and a literacy organization centered in community. Peninsula Book Collaborative, or fondly known as Peninsula Books, is in North San Mateo County — a book desert that had few bookstore options and limited library hours in surrounding areas. With seed funding from Philanthropic Ventures Foundation, we began as a pop-up, had a narrow selection of books, and were completely volunteer-led.
Currently, we have six part-time staff, a strong Board, and many committed volunteers that lead programs, activities, and share their love of books and reading.
In the first full year, we hosted 15 “Author Talks,” highlighting local authors speaking about food, history, self-help, education, poetry, activism, and fiction, along with three children’s authors who led “storytime” with their books. Additionally, we hosted community events such as Silent Book Club and La Leche League. We also supported and hosted financial aid workshops for teens, a Teddy Bear Clinic, an adult art class, two teacher book giveaways, a movie night, and other local events. Finally, in that first year, we donated over 3,000 books through two book giveaway programs for teachers, held classroom storytimes with free books, and supported local homeless shelters. All of these activities were entirely led by volunteers who served over 2,500 hours.
Community members gather to support Peninsula Book Collaborative and participate in their events
Since then, we have not slowed down. We have become a third space to many community members who have appreciated our ability to adjust and meet their needs. This has allowed us to serve more artists — both authors and creators — helping make space for additional community events and further support local schools. More recently, we hosted a graphic novelist at Westmoor High School in the Jefferson Unified High School District and plan to host a picture book author at two schools in the Jefferson Elementary School District. Supporting these districts allowed us to have further reach in multiple cities in North San Mateo County.
Looking to the future, we have a lot planned. We are working to secure a new space that will allow us to offer more programs for local schools. We look forward to expanding our book giveaways for teachers, helping schools source free books for carnivals and events, and hosting even more engaging storytime sessions.
Peninsula Book Collaborative is proud to have had our roots watered by Philanthropic Ventures Foundation, which has allowed us to grow.
Formerly fiscally sponsored by PVF, PBC has now become its own 501(c)(3). At PVF, we are honored to highlight their incredible work and growth over the years.
