In October, we are open the following Saturdays: October 5th 9am-4:30pm & October 19th 9am-4:30pm
Chicago’s Leading Provider of Free Quality Books
When 2 out of 3 children lack books, something needs to change. That’s why Bernie’s Book Bank empowers nearly 300,000 Chicagoland children to explore new ideas, gain knowledge, and strengthen reading skills through book ownership.
Donate Books
Donate your new and gently used childrens books to help inspire Chicagoland children to explore new ideas, gain knowledge, and strengthen reading skills.
Make a Donation
$16 buys 8 books for a Chicagoland child. Empower children to explore new ideas, gain knowledge, and strengthen reading skills through the power of book ownership by giving to Bernie’s Book Bank today.
Volunteer Today
Make an impact by volunteering with friends, family and colleagues at our facility. Sign-up today or manage your future volunteer opportunities.
Expansion News
Expanding our Mission to Serve the Children in the Greater Milwaukee Area
For the past 15 years, we’ve been working diligently to fine tune our model and transform the organization from a successful start-up to a sustainable institution and now, we’re ready to serve more children!
- We’ve established a National Endowment Fund to support sustainability, created a National Office & Team, and a plan to create a National Board of Directors to oversee our organization Bernie’s Book Bank nationally.
- Our first expansion city is Milwaukee.
- In our first year, we plan to serve 30,000 children across 60 schools with over 160,000 FREE books.
Our Mission
Create Pathways to Success Through Book Ownership.
Reading is the single most important skill a child needs — yet many lack access to books. Founded in 2009 by Brian Floriani to honor his father, Bernie’s Book Bank strives to make books accessible to all children.
- Commit to increasing book ownership and improving literacy growth
- Deliver age-appropriate, high-interest and culturally relevant books children deserve.
- Solve the challenge of providing quality books children — in Chicagoland — and beyond.
We need your help to continue increasing book ownership in local communities. By donating books, time and resources, you’re helping empower children to explore new ideas, gain knowledge, and strengthen reading skills.
Get Involved with Chicagoland’s Children’s Book Bank
Your support is needed to ensure Chicagoland children have access to high-quality, culturally relevant books. Get involved and help increase book ownership today.
Individuals & Families
Start making a difference for Chicagoland children today. Help us collect, sort, label, and pack books and give back to your community.
Corporate & Civic Groups
Share in the power of giving by gathering your community together for an impactful volunteer experience.
“Access to books at home is critically important to children’s academic development. We thank Bernie’s Book Bank for their generous efforts to expand access to books to families in need.”
Latanya D. McDade
Former Chief Education Officer | Chicago Public Schools
Books Distributed in 2022
Books Given to Chicago Public Schools
Spanish/Bilingual Books Distributed in 2022
Active Title I Schools & Early Childhood Programs
Invest in Children.
Invest in Our Future.
Financial gifts are critical to bringing the Bernie’s Book Bank mission to life.
One-time & Recurring Gifts
Every dollar makes a difference. Start changing lives with a one-time donation or set-up easy, automatic monthly gifts to help more children own books.
Planned Giving
Leave a legacy and empower Chicagoland children with a planned giving gift of your choosing.
Sponsor An Event
Be the spark that ignites the future. Find out how to host or sponsor a book donation event to combine resources and create a bigger impact.
Featured Event
BIRDIES & BOOKS: Bernie’s Book Bank Charity Golf Classic
Mon, Aug 28, 2023 | Shoreacres, Lake Bluff, Il
Birdies & Books is the longest-running Bernie’s Book Bank charity event. Held at the prestigious Shoreacres, Birdies & Books connects donors to our mission and helps Bernie’s Book Bank further its ability to provide books for nearly 300,000 Chicagoland children.
Our Purpose
Bernie’s Book Bank enables positive life experiences through book ownership.
Organize a Book Drive
Make a big impact — for free — by hosting a Bernie’s Book Bank book drive.
Engage your whole community in the power of sustainable literacy by organizing a book drive using our easy 3-step guide.
Get Started
Find a Book Drop Off
Locate one of our 120+ book drop off locations or stop by our Processing Center.
Donate your new and gently-used children’s books (less than 500) at a book drop or visit our Processing Center in Lake Bluff.
Check out the Latest from Bernie’s Book Bank
Stay up-to-date on our literary endeavors and find new ways to get involved.
10 Millionth CPS Book Distributed
On Monday, September 30th, Bernie’s Book Bank distributed its 10 millionth Chicago Public Schools book since 2009. CPS CEO Pedro Martinez,...
Audra’s Book Drive: From Global Vision to Local Impact
Audra, a Barrington local, has always had a passion for book ownership and reading. As an elementary school teacher, she prioritized...
Ryleigh’s Book Drive
The beauty of a book lies not only within its pages but in its ability to bring people together. There’s no better example of that than...
Empower Children through Book Ownership
Help children build personal libraries where they can explore new ideas, gain knowledge and strengthen reading skills.