About Us
"It's about bringing your whole self to the table."
Ann Kowal Smith
Founder & Executive Director, Books@Work
Our Mission
Books@Work bridges the growing educational divide by offering meaningful workplace-based learning to individuals of diverse backgrounds and world views. Participants share the wisdom of life experience through respectful conversation rooted in narrative and human stories. Books@Work celebrates difference and eradicates division.
The majority of American adults spend most of their waking hours on the job. The most effective organizations create space for employees to bring more of themselves to work. By offering literature discussions to all employees – including adults typically excluded from personal development initiatives – we invest in the broader ecosystem of learning, empowering individuals to step into each other’s shoes, deepen relationships and contribute deeply at work, at home and in the community.
Books@Work is facilitated by That Can be Me, Inc., a 501(c)(3) public charity. As a nonprofit organization, we are able to develop and price programs that reach individuals from the front line to the C-suite, and everyone in between. We also partner with generous donors to bring Books@Work into community settings. Interested in learning more? Start here.
Our History
In 2009, we piloted Books@Work with food service employees at AVI Foodsystems and professors from Hiram College. Participants found a common language and set of experiences through the books, and professors learned from the perspectives of non-traditional learners. Supervisors found that participants “asked better questions” and were more engaged – with each other and their customers.
Today: We partner with companies in healthcare, manufacturing, distribution, technology, professional services and non-profit. In several companies we have expanded the program to natural teams and cross-functional groups across the organization. Our evidence overwhelmingly indicates that participants enjoy new ideas and gain a deeper appreciation for their colleagues. Companies appreciate increased contribution and collaboration from participants.
Tomorrow: Books@Work aspires to make a measurable contribution to building lifelong learning and critical thinking in society by supporting a more creative and productive workforce in our partner companies. With philanthropic support, we continue to extend our reach through programs with veterans, urban parents, police-community groups and others to cultivate a sense of connection and collaboration within neighborhoods, schools and families. Our goal: 100,000 participants a year across the nation.
Our Reach
Books@Work continues to expand in breadth and depth. As of late May 2018, we have engaged with:
5,227
participants
619
titles
581
professors
95
colleges
52
organizations
294
programs
20
states
7
foreign countries
Our Community Work
Public School District
Auxiliary staff across an urban school district (including custodial, transportation, clerical, administrative and other employees) gather to participate in Books@Work.
Parents
Parents from an urban school meet once a week to read and discuss literature, building a stronger, more connected and resilient community.
Veterans
Veterans in a residential treatment program read short stories to connect to each other and compare their personal journeys, with creativity and confidence.
Auxiliary staff across an urban school district (including custodial, transportation, clerical, administrative and other employees) gather to participate in Books@Work.
Parents from an urban school meet once a week to read and discuss literature, building a stronger, more connected and resilient community.
Veterans in a residential treatment program read short stories to connect to each other and compare their personal journeys, with creativity and confidence.
Why support Books@Work in the community?
Books@Work strives to build community well beyond the walls of the workplace. In our work with nonprofits and other service organizations, we reach into local spaces, cultivating a sense of connection and collaboration within neighborhoods, schools and families.
Our community work focuses primarily on school staffs, parents and veterans, though we work in other areas of the community on a case-by-case basis. We partner with donors – individual, companies and foundations – to enable our programs and expand our community reach.
Watch the video to hear Sergeant Kim Watkins share her experience participating in a Books@Work veterans’ program.
Case Studies
Selected Partners & Professors
Philanthropic Support
We are deeply grateful for the support and enthusiasm of many individual donors and of several foundations and institutions.
Our Impact & The Science
Find out more about our impact in workplaces and the community and the science behind our work.