About 40,000 books will be given away to help local students as part of an Education Austin and First Book event March 29.

About 1,700 teachers and AISD employees signed up with First Book, a nonprofit organization that connects book publishers with community organizations that provide access to new books for children in need.

Education Austin President Ken Zarifis said Saturday's event will provide free books in English and Spanish to children in schools throughout the district involved with Title I, a federal program that provides financial assistance to local educational agencies and schools with high numbers or percentages of children from low-income families.

"It's huge," he said. "A teacher will be able to get 50–100 books and hand them out to all their kids. We're going to have bus drivers come in, get a box of 50 books, take them to their bus and hand them out on their buses. It's just an awesome event. We're so excited about it."

The event takes place from noon–5 p.m. at the former Allan Elementary School campus, located at 4900 Gonzales St. For more information visit https://austin.tx.aft.org.