Book'em

Mission: Mission: Book’em empowers Nashville’s economically disadvantaged children by fostering a love of books and reading. Vision: Every child in Nashville is given an equal opportunity to experience the joy of owning and reading books.

Results: Since its founding in 1989, Book'em has donated more than one million books to children in middle Tennessee. Teachers tell us that many of their students would not have books of their own if they didn't get books from Book'em.

Target demographics: economically disadvantaged children

Direct beneficiaries per year: 10,000 children and teens

Geographic areas served: Nashville / Davidson County

Programs: Books for Nashville's Kids provides books for children and teens who do not have any or many books of their own in their homes. We partner with agencies serving children in need and provide books to special events, classrooms, and anywhere the gift of a book can impact a child. In 2016, Bookem furnished more than 58,000 books through about 80 partner programs and organizations. Books are collected through in-kind donations from businesses, congregations and individuals, as well as monetary donations used to purchase books at great prices. Some groups conduct book drives on our behalf, while others ask guests to bring books for children and/or teens to their birthday parties or other celebrations. Some people clean off their shelves of very gently used books that they no longer need. Book'em greatly appreciates all those who donate books and money, so that children and teens can discover how wonderful books are. When books arrive at our office, they are counted and sorted by age group. Thank you emails are sent to the donors, inventory figures are entered into our database;and books are shelved awaiting distribution. Volunteers and staff help with these duties. Then, these volunteers and staff also help with preparing books to be distributed based on requests received from agencies, nonprofits, preschools and schools to give to the economically disadvantaged youth that they serve.