Barnes & Noble stores across the country invite customers to give the gift of reading to children in need during the company’s annual Holiday Book Drive, held through Jan. 1, 2012. The Barnes & Noble Holiday Book Drive provides an opportunity for customers to donate books through locally designated nonprofit organizations.

The drive benefits schools, libraries, literacy organizations, family social service agencies and homeless centers. This year, the Antioch Barnes & Noble, 5709 Lone Tree Way, will be collecting books for the Salvation Army.

“The Holiday Book Drive is one of our most popular community partnerships,” said Sarah DiFrancesco, Barnes & Noble’s director of community relations. “Our booksellers and customers get to share the pure joy of giving a book to a child in need. And because each Barnes & Noble store chooses its local nonprofit beneficiary, the donations are very personal.”

To find out how to participate in the Holiday Book Drive, call 925-978-1031 or 925-978-1053.