Blazers and community members interested in donating books for families of infants in the UAB Hospital Regional Newborn Intensive Care Unit (RNICU) can drop new books in boxes located across campus during a book drive hosted by UAB Libraries and the University Writing Center Nov. 2-Dec. 4, 2026.
Hosted in partnership with local bookshop Thank You Books, the book drive will provide reading materials for families whose newborns are being treated in the NICU. Infants in neonatal units “often do not experience the human sound exposure needed for brain development during the early period of rapid mental growth,” according to UAB Medicine News, and reading to babies can stimulate their senses and build bonds with caregivers.
Only new books — preferably hardcover or board books, with a special need for Spanish language options — will be accepted; interested givers can find a wishlist on the Thank You Books website. Books also can be purchased from retailers outside Thank You Books.
Donation boxes can be found across campus:
- Sterne Library near the UWC (1st floor)
- Department of English (University Hall 5th floor)
- Graduate Medical Education Wellness Center (UAB Hospital West Pavilion)
- Center for Teaching and Learning (Lister Hill Library 4th floor)
- Thank You Books (5502B Crestwood Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35212)
UAB students and employees who donate books can submit their BlazerID and the book title to UAB Libraries for a chance to win a swag bag from UAB Libraries and the Department of Pediatrics in the Heersink School of Medicine, including a lunch box, tote bag, tumbler and more; a QR code will be available to scan on each box.