Books have the power to open doors, spark imagination, and shape futures. But for many children, access to books remains out of reach. That’s why partnerships rooted in community and purpose matter. The upcoming Knowledge Exchange Used Book Sale at Bernie’s Book Bank is more than just a chance to browse great titles. It’s a celebration of sustainability, literacy, and local impact.
A Mission That Starts Close to Home
For Spencer Testa, Founder of Knowledge Exchange, this work is deeply personal.
“Growing up in Northbrook, Bernie’s Book Bank has always been part of my local landscape. From book drives through school and sports programs to fundraisers organized through local community groups, the mission of getting books into the hands of children has always felt close to home.
Years later, while researching book insecurity in college, I began to understand just how many children and families lack access to books. That realization helped inspire the creation of Knowledge Exchange. From the start, we believed that every book we collect carries a responsibility. By partnering with Bernie’s Book Bank, the communities and individuals we work with know that the children’s books we collect support local literacy initiatives and help spark a lifelong love of reading for generations to come.”
Giving Books a Second Life
Knowledge Exchange is a book redistribution company dedicated to giving books a second life. We work with libraries, organizations, and individuals to collect books across the Chicagoland area and carefully route them to their next destination instead of a landfill. Whether they go to readers, classrooms, or community partners, we work to extend the life of every book we receive.
At Knowledge Exchange, we believe that every book saved represents an opportunity to succeed through literacy. Through our partnerships with organizations like Bernie’s, we help ensure that books continue their stories, connecting children with new reads and even more opportunities to learn.
A Growing Impact
Since 2024, Knowledge Exchange has donated 47 gaylords of children’s books to Bernie’s Book Bank. With an estimated 800-1000 books per gaylord, Knowledge Exchange has contributed approximately 40,000 books to children who need them most.
While children’s books are typically featured in their sales, these titles have been donated directly to Bernie’s Book Bank to support its mission, ensuring they reach the hands of young readers who need them most.
Join the Used Book Sale
You’re invited to be part of that impact!
Our two-day sale will feature a curated selection of over 5,000 fiction and nonfiction titles. All items come directly from the materials we recover and redistribute through our partnerships with local libraries. The sale will feature some of the most popular titles available, graphic novels, sprayed-edge first editions, and more!
This is a low-cost community book sale with a purpose! Knowledge Exchange works with libraries across the state to help give discarded books a second life. Instead of being recycled or thrown away, many of these books are given the chance to find new homes with readers like you. Every book at our sale comes directly from the local community.
As part of our partnership with Bernie’s Book Bank, a portion of net proceeds from this event will be donated back to support their incredible literacy mission.
Event Details
Location
Bernie’s Book Bank
917 N Shore Dr
Lake Bluff, IL 60044
Dates & Hours
Saturday, April 11 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday, April 12 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Admission: FREE
Pricing
Saturday: $3 per item
Sunday: $2 per item
Payment Methods
Cash and credit card accepted
Parking
On-site parking available
Street parking is not permitted
Whether you’re searching for your next great read or simply looking to support a meaningful cause, this event offers a chance to do both. Come browse thousands of books, support a great cause, and help us continue our mission to save books and keep them in the hands of readers.
