Meet the Team Behind: Book’em

Book’em is increasing literacy in Nashville and igniting a passion for books among youth. By providing access to all kinds of books, Book’em is giving students the priceless gift of reading. Learn more about how Book’em brings books and kids together here!

Can you tell me about your programs?

Books for Nashville’s Kids is our program dedicated to empowering children through book ownership. We partner with 180 schools and organizations in Nashville such as Habitat for Humanity, Nashville Public Health Department, and Davidson County Juvenile Court to provide free books to kids aged 0-18. Reading is Fundamental is a volunteer-run reading program in Title 1 elementary schools, and Ready for Reading places reading volunteers in local preschools to build relationships with young children through regular read aloud time. Read Me Day is an annual celebration of literacy hosted at schools to highlight the importance of books and reading. 

What is the story behind Book’em?

Book’em began in 1989 when four women united to find opportunities to assist a local chapter of a nonprofit children’s literacy organization. Books were collected and distributed, and Book’em was born out of a need to get books into schools and community organizations. We eventually expanded our programming and now distribute hundreds of thousands of books a year to students in need. We believe that books can change a child’s life in profound ways by fostering a sense of dignity and joy in the children who receive and read them.

What kind of books are you looking for? 

Books that best support our mission are new, like-new, or very gently used books for those aged 0-18. A book that you wouldn’t give to someone as a gift may be a better fit for a used bookstore instead of us. We look for chapter books, picture books, and board books for all ages and in all genres. We are always in need of books that showcase diverse races, cultures, and experiences, as well as foreign language books. For those who want to donate, you can drop off books in person if you’re local to Nashville, ship donations to us, shop our Amazon Wishlist of books, or host a book drive to collect books from your own community to send to us. 

What is the Book Bus?

In 2022, we were donated a bookmobile to help us create a mobile book distribution program. Our Book Bus reaches several community spaces and events to share the importance of literacy and the joy of reading. The Book Bus also accepts book donations, and we host “Fill the Bus” drives to stock the bus with new reading material for kids. If you serve economically disadvantaged youth in the Nashville area, you can request a visit from the Book Bus on our website.