The kids are our future. In underserved communities, you never know which one of these kids might grow up holding the answer to some of the challenges we face. That’s why supporting Bernie’s Book Bank means so much to me. It’s been incredibly rewarding to walk into neighborhoods across Chicago and see the joy on kids’ faces when they realize, ‘We get to take these home.’ That’s my why—helping create those moments of hope and opportunity. And if we can combine that with something fun, like a cold beer in a Symglass pint glass, it’s the perfect marriage.”

– Patrick Mannelly

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Our Story

Founded by Brian Floriani in 2009, Bernie’s Book Bank was inspired by his father, Dr. Bernard P. Floriani, who, never without a book, read his way to a better life.

In our first 12 months, we sourced, processed, and distributed 140,000 children’s books. In our second year, we expanded our operation and reach and distributed 350,000 free, high-quality children’s books. By the end of 2012, our third year, we had distributed 1 MILLION high-quality, age-appropriate books into the hands and homes of children in under-resourced communities.

Today, we have hand-delivered over 29 million free, high-quality books. Our effective, scalable, and sustainable model allows us to source, process, and distribute eight books every year to children from birth to sixth grade so they can have a home library of their very own and always have a book within reach.

Funded by generous donors and committed companies and fueled by a passionate team of partners and volunteers, we believe better futures begin with books.