Ever Wanted to Hand Out Free Books to Strangers? You're in Luck on World Book Night

World Book Night and the North Canton Public Library is giving you the chance to put a book in the hand of someone who doesn't normally read or doesn't have access to books.

Yes, you.

The two have partnered for the April 23 event and hope that you will sign on to hand out free books to strangers in North Canton. If handing a free book to a stranger sounds, well, a little strange, remember it's to "spread the love of reading, person to person," according to World Book Night.

"We are excited that the North Canton Public Library will serve as a pick-up site for 'book givers,'" said Christina Weyrick-Cooper, the library's community relations manager.

"World Book Night harmonizes perfectly with the library’s vision of inspiring the community to seek lifelong learning and enjoyment. We believe strongly in the mission of World Book Night, and are looking forward to hearing the experiences of the 'givers' we meet."

Here's how World Book Night explains it: A panel of librarians and booksellers choose 30 books each year, and those authors waive their royalties and the publishers agree to pay the costs of producing the specially-printed World Book Night U.S. editions.

Then, bookstores and libraries sign up to be community host locations for the volunteer book givers, and members of the public apply to hand out 20 copies of a title in their community on World Book Night. (You apply for three titles, and one of those three is chosen for you.)

On that day, givers will hand out 500,000 books total.

Want to get involved? Check out the guidelines here and apply to be a giver in North Canton.