We believe increasing book ownership is a matter of equity. It’s through owning, reading, and sharing books that the potential of every child is unlocked.
Bernie’s Book Bank sources, processes, and distributes eight free quality books to children annually — creating a continuum of service from birth to sixth grade annually, driven by the belief that better futures begin with books.
THERE IS A LITERACY CRISIS IN OUR COUNTRY
The good news? At Bernie’s Book Bank, we’re laser-focused on solving this solvable problem — and through partnership and with your support, we will.
We focus on communities where children are least likely to have books of their own and supply children who need them with free, high-quality books to build in-home libraries of their very own.
Through distribution partners, we deliver books to children from birth through sixth grade. By age 12, each child will have a personal library of 96 books from Bernie’s Book Bank. When they are finished, they are encouraged to pass them on to someone else — exponentially spreading the gift.
Powered by volunteers, supporters, and partners, we do all this through a simple, sustainable model that allows us to source, process, and distribute books for less than $2.00 a book.
Our Book Philosophy guides our team when selecting books for the children we serve. We understand that every child and community is unique. We strive to choose books that are age-appropriate, engaging, and meaningful.
GETTING BOOKS INTO THE HOME OF EVERY CHILD WILL TRANSFORM OUR COMMUNITIES
Since its founding in 2009, Bernie’s Book Bank has served countless children in Chicagoland. In 2024, local children attending over 950 Title 1 schools and early childhood programs received 2,409,599 free, age-appropriate, high-interest, and culturally relevant books.
Bernie’s Book Bank has served the Greater Milwaukee area since 2019. In the 2024-2025 academic year, local children attending 60 Title 1 schools and early childhood programs received 160,000 free, age-appropriate, high-interest, and culturally relevant books.
Bernie’s Book Bank is officially expanding into the Florida Suncoast community intending to serve upwards of 300,000 qualifying children across 12 different counties.
