Eligibility Criteria & FAQs
Becoming a First Book Canada member gives you instant, 24/7 access to the First Book Canada Marketplace™ where you will find incredible discounts on thousands of brand-new books and resources. But before you can start shopping, you are required to become a First Book Canada member by answering a questions about your organization and the community you serve to verify your eligibility.
Educators, support staff, volunteers, and other professionals working in schools or programs working with youth from low-income families are eligible (and encouraged!) to sign up with First Book Canada.
If you have any questions or need help with our registration form, please contact our friendly Member Services team at +1 866-732-3669 or help@firstbook.org.
Need Help?
Our friendly Member Services team is available to assist you Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm ET (excluding major holidays). Please feel welcome to reach out anytime!
- Email - help@firstbook.org
- Call - 1-866-READ-NOW (1-866-732-3669)
First Book Canada Membership Eligibility FAQs
How do I know if I am eligible to become a First Book Canada member?
Educators, providers, and staff working or volunteering in schools or community organizations where the children served come from low-income families are eligible to sign up with First Book Canada. There are multiple ways to estimate your school or community organization’s population, including looking at census data, Service Canada guidelines, or checking with your school administrator.
Once registered, periodically, the First Book Canada team will contact you to verify if you are still working or volunteering in schools or community organizations where the children served come from low-income families. We strongly encourage you to keep your profile up-to-date with the latest information.
Can I still qualify if I homeschool children?
At this time, homeschools located in Canada are unable to register with First Book Canada at this time. However, this policy is reviewed periodically. In the event this policy changes, we will keep your name on file and will reach back out to you if your homeschool is deemed eligible.
How does eligibility work for librarians, library staff, and volunteers?
There are many ways librarians, media specialists, library staff, or volunteers can qualify for First Book Canada. Staff working in public or school libraries that serve low-income families are eligible to sign up with First Book Canada. For example, if you partner with a local school, a nearby early childhood program, a shelter and/or other agency to deliver programming through your library. There are multiple ways to estimate your library's low-income percent served, including looking at census data or Service Canada guidelines.
Can staff at nonprofits and community organizations sign up?
First Book Canada works with staff and providers at many local nonprofits, after-school programs, civic organizations, health care programs, faith-based programs, museums, and other community groups who offer support to children and families in need. If you work or volunteer at a program like this, there are several ways you can automatically qualify for First Book Canada. For example, summer programs that provide breakfast to children, afterschool programs serving students from a nearby TDSB Model School, or organizations serving military families.
Can parents sign up for First Book Canada?
First Book Canada exclusively works with educators, service providers, and program leaders serving children and families in a professional setting. Parents (and the general public) cannot sign up for First Book Canada membership or shop from the First Book Canada Marketplace. However, if your child attends a school or program that may be eligible for First Book Canada, we encourage you to tell your child’s teacher/librarian/care provider/etc. about us so they can sign up and access all the benefits of membership.
I don't know the income level of most visiting families, so how can I register for First Book Canada?
If your school or community organization hosts a program specifically focused on supporting children from low-income families, children from new immigrant families, children from First Nations communities, or disabled children, you can register.
In step one of registration, after identifying your organization type, you'll be asked to input a special designation for your school or community organization. Choose the best and most appropriate option, your registration will be accepted.
Can I become a member if I'm located in the United States?
While only educators and program leaders located in Canada can access the First Book Canada Marketplace, we have a sister organization with a separate website for educators and program staff located in the United States. Please visit fbmarketplace.org to browse the selection of books and resources available to educators located in the United States and sign up to become a First Book US member for free!
Before you can log in and start shopping on the First Book Canada Marketplace, you're required to become a First Book Canada member by answering a few quick questions about your school/program and the community you serve. Becoming a member gives you instant, 24/7 access to the First Book Canada Marketplace among many other benefits (including announcements about special funding opportunities available to your school or program).
The reason First Book Canada is able to offer the lowest price possible on books and resources throughout the First Book Canada Marketplace is because we aggregate the purchasing power of our unique network of educators and professionals serving kids in need. First Book Canada has special agreements in place with major publishers and vendors to allow our members to access exclusive pricing. The information you provide when you sign up to become a member helps us honor our commitments to our partners by ensuring that books and resources from First Book Canada are reaching kids and teens in underserved communities.
Not sure if you school or program is eligible? Review the helpful eligibility criteria and FAQs below! If you have any questions or are unsure about your school/program's eligibility, please feel welcome to contact our friendly Member Services team at 1-866-READ-NOW or help@firstbook.org. There is no limit to the number of educators/staff within a given school or program who can sign up with First Book Canada. We encourage you to spread the word to your colleagues so they can join too!
How do I know if I am eligible to become a First Book Canada member?
If you work at or represent one of the following organizations/programs, you are eligible to sign up with First Book Canada:
- A school/program primarily serving children with disabilities
- A school/program primarily serving children from First Nations communities
- A school/program primarily serving children from new immigrant families
- A school/program where at least 70% of children come from low-income families
- Early Childhood Programs
- Out-Of-School Time Programs
- Faith-Based Organizations
- Shelters & Clinics
- Libraries & Museums
- Military Family Support Programs
As a librarian, I don't know the income level of most visiting families. How can I sign up?
If your library hosts a program specifically focused on supporting children from low-income families, children from new immigrant families, children from First Nations communities, or children with special needs or developmental delays you can register that particular library program. For example, if you partner with a local school, nearby Early Childhood Program, Shelter and/or other agency to deliver programming through your library, you can register with First Book Canada and distribute First Book Canada books and resources to those participating in the eligible programs.
In step one of registration, you'll be asked to input the percent of low-income children served through your program. Programs serving greater than 70% low-income children and families automatically qualify to be a First Book Canada member. Alternatively, if you select children from new immigrant families, children from First Nations communities, or children with special needs in the drop-down menu of the preceding question about program classification, your registration will also be accepted, even if you fall below the 70% threshold. Choose the best option to let us know how you came to your estimate in the Estimate Justification drop-down menu during registration.
I work in a children's museum and I don't know the income level of most visiting families. How can I register for First Book Canada?
If your museum hosts a program specifically focused on supporting children from low-income families, children from new immigrant families, children from First Nations communities, or children with special needs or developmental delays you can register that particular museum program. For example, if you host a Free Friday admission program for schools serving children in need, that Free Friday program would qualify to distribute books to those in attendance.
In step one of registration, you'll be asked to input the percent of low-income children served through your program. Programs serving greater than 70% low-income children and families automatically qualify to be a First Book Canada member. Alternatively, if you select children from new immigrant families, children from First Nations communities, or children with special needs in the drop-down menu of the preceding question about program classification, your registration will also be accepted, even if you fall below the 70% threshold. Choose the best option to let us know how you came to your estimate in the Estimate Justification drop-down menu during registration.
What if I work in a school and I don't know the income level of most of the student population?
You can register if at least 70% of the children in your school are eligible for free and reduced lunch. Prior to registering, we encourage you to check with your school administrator to find out if you are eligible.
How do I register if my organization doesn't directly serve children or families?
First Book Canada works with lots of advocate groups, civic organizations and faith based volunteers who are working to support programs serving kids in need. If you represent one of these organizations and have trouble with the registration questions, please contact our friendly Member Services team at 1-866-READ-NOW or help@firstbook.org.
I am a parent interested in getting books for my child. Can I become a First Book Canada member?
At the moment First Book Canada works directly with educators, service providers and programs serving children and families. We encourage you to make sure your child's school, child care or similar program is registered with First Book Canada. Your child can then receive books through their school or program. We encourage you to also visit www.fbmpcanada.org to learn more about our mission and other ways you can support our cause!
I work for a for-profit company. Can I become a First Book member?
While First Book Canada primarily serves schools and non-profit organizations, certain for-profit companies (e.g. for-profit daycare facilities and afterschool programs) are eligible for membership if you serve a population of at least 70% children who come from low-income families (or meet First Book Canada’s other eligibility requirements).
Please Note: Educators/staff representing for-profit companies must complete our online registration form AND provide a brief letter before you can log in and start shopping the First Book Canada Marketplace. Your letter must include the following information:
- The percentage of kids in need served through your company as well as how you determined this estimate. There are several ways to estimate your company’s low-income percentage served (including free & reduced lunch data, census data, survey data from parents, WIC eligibility requirements, etc.). For more criteria, please visit our Eligibility FAQs page.
- How you plan to use books and resources purchased or received from First Book. Please keep in mind that First Book mission is to provide books and resources exclusively to educators and other professionals who are working with kids in need.
- The following statement: “I certify that all the information included in this registration is legal, true, and accurate. I understand that offering false information will immediately invalidate my registration.”
- Your company’s official letterhead. (if possible)
Once your letter is ready, please send it as an attachment to help@firstbook.org so we can review your information and activate your account (please allow at least 2 business days). If you have any questions regarding First Book’s for-profit registration policies or how to prepare your letter after you’ve completed your registration online, please contact our friendly Member Services team at 1-866-READ-NOW or help@firstbook.org.
I'm located in the United States. Can I become a First Book Canada member?
While only educators and program leaders located in Canada can access the First Book Canada Marketplace, we have a sister organization with a separate website for members located in the United States. Please visit www.firstbook.org to browse the selection of books and resources available to educators located across the border and sign up to become a First Book member for free!
My school/program was impacted by natural disaster or emergency. Am I eligible?
Yes! Even if you would not normally qualify through the eligibility requirements noted above, First Book Canada does offer support for disaster relief as communities recover from events like wildfires, hurricanes, and other tragic events. In step one of our registration form, please select Disaster Relief (temporary) in the Program Classification drop down menu and then contact our Member Services team (1-866-READ-NOW or help@firstbook.org) so we can manually activate your temporary First Book Canada Marketplace account.
Have a question about our eligibility requirements or need assistance?
Contact our friendly Member Services team at 1-866-READ-NOW (1-866-732-3669) or help@firstbook.org and we will answer your questions or help walk you through the registration process. Our regular business hours are 9am – 5pm ET, Monday – Friday (excluding major holidays).
Ready to sign up? Visit https://www.fbmpcanada.org/register to get started!