Bernie’s Book Bank will be closed 12/24 – 1/2. Please donate your new and gently used children’s books at one of our book drop partners.

Bernie’s Book Bank – Greater Milwaukee Area

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.

Read the full announcement here.

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.

Learn More