Back-to-school season is on the mind. Talk of how fast summer went and how people can’t believe it’s already the end of August is coupled with a lengthy list of all things to do before the school year is in full swing. As you start the process of clearing gently used books from the shelves to make room for the new, keep Bernie’s Book Bank in mind as your go-to book donation location!
Manager of Used Book Acquisitions, Rosie Boeing, shared why book donations are critical to our mission, “They are titles, such as Harry Potter and Diary of a Wimpy Kid, that children love, but we cannot necessarily source.”
With 2 to 3 gently used books in each bag sent out, they provide color, variety, and familiarity. It is your donations that encourage children to read, share, and enjoy books with their family.
Bring your new & gently used fiction and nonfiction children’s books (birth-sixth grade reading level) to Bernie’s Book Bank or one of our 150+ book drop locations. Finding one shouldn’t be too hard knowing all Wintrust Banks are book drop locations. Enter your zip code into the book drop locator to find the closest location to you. If you decide to make your way out to our Lake Bluff location to drop your books off, make a day out of it with the family and stay to volunteer at one of our 18 weekly sessions.
Although we appreciate all donations, we do NOT accept textbooks, dictionaries, activity books, coloring books, reference material, religious books or foreign language books (dual language is OK). If you have a large donation of 500+ books, we will pick them up! Contact us to schedule a pick-up. If you want to go the extra mile and extend your impact, host a book drive!
In 10 years, 15.8 million books have been distributed to at-risk Chicagoland children. Donating books is one act of kindness that has a long term, sustainable impact. There may be a lot to get done this back-to-school season, but crossing donating your books off the list will be a feeling that keeps on giving.
