Cultivating Readers in Georgia & Beyond

Tome Student Literacy Society was founded in 2012 by two Georgia media specialists with a simple mission: to cultivate lifelong readers through encouraging literature. Since then, Tome has grown to more than 250 chapters across eight states, with new schools joining our community from across the nation every year.

One of the highlights of the Tome experience is TomeCon, our annual student literacy conference held each spring in Athens, Georgia. Students have the opportunity to meet authors, participate in competitions, celebrate their accomplishments, and connect with fellow readers from around the country.

We know, however, that for many chapters, traveling to TomeCon every year simply isn't possible. Whether it's distance, scheduling, or budget, there are plenty of reasons a chapter may need to skip a year - and that's okay! The heart of Tome isn't found in a single event. It's found in building a thriving community of readers all year long.
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Here are a few ways to make your Tome year feel special, even when you aren't able to attend TomeCon.

Host a Virtual Author Day
Many Tome Book Award authors are happy to connect with students virtually. Reach out to an author and schedule a video chat for your chapter. Turn the day into a celebration by decorating your meeting space, serving themed snacks, and treating it like an in-house literary field trip. Students love the opportunity to ask questions and hear directly from the people who wrote the books they've enjoyed.

Celebrate with an End-of-Year Awards Banquet
Wrap up your Tome season with a special banquet recognizing your students' hard work and accomplishments. Present local chapter awards, celebrate reading milestones, and recognize students who participated in Tome competitions throughout the year.
Even if your chapter isn't able to attend TomeCon, we'll ship your students' national competition medals and certificates directly to your school so they can still be honored alongside their peers.

Make TomeCon a Milestone Tradition
If you are unable to attend every year, consider making TomeCon a special milestone trip. Some long-distance chapters attend only with their 5th, 8th, or 12th grade students, while others make the trip every other year. This approach allows families and schools to plan ahead while still giving students the excitement of experiencing TomeCon at least once during a particular stage of their education.
Many chapters also extend their visit by spending a day or two exploring Georgia. Athens offers plenty of history, local restaurants, and college-town charm, while nearby destinations such as Atlanta provide opportunities to visit museums, historical sites, and other educational attractions, turning TomeCon into an unforgettable educational adventure.

No matter how your chapter celebrates, remember that Tome is about far more than one conference. Every book discussion, competition, author visit, and shared reading experience helps cultivate a lifelong love of reading. Whether you're joining us in Athens this year or cheering from home, you're helping build readers who will carry that love of books for years to come.