World Book Night was launched in Britain, Ireland, and Germany in 2011. It was such a success that it caught the eye of American publishers and booksellers who vowed to bring it across the Atlantic Ocean in 2012. On April 23, 2012, their dreams and visions came to fruition.

25,000 volunteers (booksellers, librarians, library patrons, bookstore customers) gave away over 500,000 books in 24 hours at locations of their choosing in their communities. Printing and shipping costs were subsidized entirely by the publishers of the 30 chosen titles and a number of printing companies. The authors of the books received no royalties from this enterprise. The goal of everyone involved in the project was to spread the love of reading through human contact particularly with people who might not have ready access to books or be able to purchase them for themselves.

The Carleton Bookstore was the Northfield area coordinator of World Book Night in Rice County. Six volunteers gave out 150 books at locations in Faribault and Northfield.

Visit World Book Night USA on Facebook to read comments and stories from some of the day's bookgivers.