It is now more urgent than ever that book access be expanded to families and communities through avenues that do not depend upon schools. Books are an essential component for resilience; without them, other measures such as community schooling, teacher training, and family outreach will not promote reading or literacy. This GBA Guidance Note provides a roadmap for ensuring access to age and language-appropriate reading materials for the poorest and most vulnerable, both during the COVID-19 crisis, and beyond.