Orange County Schools is teaming up with Barnes and Noble for a fundraiser to bring a more wide variety of books to their classrooms.

Durham’s New Hope Commons Barnes and Noble is now featuring a table filled with books available to be purchased and donated to the Orange County School System.

Orange County Schools chief academic officer Michele Woodson says these books will supplement those already available in the school’s libraries and media centers and will offer teachers a better opportunity to engage their students.

“[We’re] just wanting to build the opportunity to have texts in classrooms for kids to be able to be engaged in so that they’re able to read information that they’re interested in as well as meets their needs on their reading levels,” says Woodson.

Any books donated will be readily available to students in their classrooms, which Woodson says promotes a workshop structure in Orange County schools.

One of the fundraiser’s goals is to promote diversity in the books available in schools.

“We want to make sure that we’re including a diverse group of texts,” says Woodson. “We want a variety of authors from a multitude of backgrounds as well as different content areas.”

Barnes and Noble held a kickoff event on Saturday. Books are also be available for online purchase.

Related Stories
‹
Orange County Government, Local School Districts Try to Do 'More With Less' Amid State Funding Uncertainty
Orange County's school districts will likely not get the full extent of their proposed budgets for the upcoming school year.
Orange High Math Teacher Justin Boggus Named Orange County Schools' 2026-27 Teacher of the Year
Orange County Schools leadership unveiled Justin Boggus as its Teacher of the Year award winner during a ceremony at the Colonial Inn.
Orange County Recommends Tax Increases for FY27 Budget; Chatham County Could Keep Rate Flat
Both Orange County and Chatham County revealed their budget proposals for the upcoming fiscal year this week. Here are the highlights.
Orange County Schools Board of Education Reviews Budget Requests for the Upcoming Academic Year
The Orange County Board of Education recently presented its preferred budget for the upcoming school year.
CHCCS, Orange and Chatham Public Schools Among NC Districts Canceling Classes Ahead of Teachers Rally
With a teachers rally expecting to draw thousands of educators from North Carolina, local school districts are cancelling classes for May 1.
On Air Today: Duke Neurosurgeon Dr. David Hasan and Med Deli Owner Jamil Kadoura
Duke Neurosurgeon Dr. David Hasan and Med Deli Owner Jamil Kadoura joined 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Monday, April 20. They discussed an upcoming fundraiser for The Gaza Children Village, which helps protect children in the midst of crisis. The fundraiser will be at Med Deli on April 28 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Orange High School's Jason Johnson Earns 2026 National Principal of The Year Award
Orange County Schools shared Friday that Orange High School's Jason Johnson earned the 2026 National Principal of the Year award.
‘Mind Your Business’: Local Openings, Closings and Updates in January-March 2026
The start of 2026 featured some early closures, openings and plenty of returns to business in Chapel Hill, Carrboro and beyond.
Orange, Chatham County School Districts Closed Monday Due To Hazardous Weather
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, Orange County Schools and Chatham County Schools will all be closed on Monday, Mar. 16, due to forecasted hazardous weather conditions. The trio of local school districts sent out alerts to their families on Sunday night to share their decisions and warn of the impending weather. “Monday’s weather forecast calls for […]
'In A Very Good Place': 2026 Election Results Reflect Stability, Support for Orange County Schools Board of Education
Voters in the school district re-elected three incumbents to the board – Sarah Smylie, Anne Purcell and Will Atherton – while adding newcomer Lori Russell.
›