Books for Keeps

Books for Keeps Learn more about our work and goings-on here: linktr.ee/Books_for_keeps

We believe books are a gateway to understanding the universe and the boundless possibilities contained within it for every person, regardless of their life circumstances. By bringing the world to a child’s doorstep, reading pulls a child into the world as a critical thinker, an empathic individual, and an engaged citizen. We believe providing children with open, equal access to books allows them t

o connect the joy of reading with the thrill of discovery, laying the foundation for a successful, fulfilling life. Books for Keeps started as an effort to help one little girl who loved to read but didn't own a single book. It has grown into a research-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission of improving literacy among low-income children. At the end of each school year, we give 12 books to every elementary school student attending an Athens-Clarke county school where 90% or more of students qualify for free/reduced-price lunch. Additionally, Books for Keeps serves children at elementary schools in Atlanta, Warrenton, and Elberton, Georgia. This guarantees the children have access to books, regardless of income, proximity to a library, or family situation.

$25 provides 12 books plus a carrying tote for one child. $480 sponsors an entire class! Contact us via email at [email protected]
DONATE via credit card at www.booksforkeeps.org

Terms of Use and Privacy policy:http://booksforkeeps.org/bfkwp/wp-content/uploads/Books-for-Keeps-Terms-of-Use-and-Privacy-Policy-2016.pdf

08/26/2026

Part 4️⃣ of our staff reading thank-you notes from elementary schoolers after receiving free books from us this past year! 💛

Are you also sooooooooooooooooo excited about books? 🤓
Share that excitement by donating to Books for Keeps or purchasing a book (or more!!) from our Bookshop wishlist. Donate or find our wishlist on our website: booksforkeeps.org.

📣 Today’s staff spotlight is on Jera! 📣Jera has been with Books for Keeps since June 2025 as an in-school coordinator fo...
08/19/2026

📣 Today’s staff spotlight is on Jera! 📣

Jera has been with Books for Keeps since June 2025 as an in-school coordinator for our Storytellers Literacy Mentor Program! Jera was based at H.B. Stroud and is excited to be based at J.J. Harris this fall!

You can find Jera:

🌼 starting hundreds of flowers from seed for her garden over the winter, complete with temperature controlled grow houses in her garage, to grow award winning gardens!
🎧 listening to audiobooks while crafting polymer clay jewelry, bookmarks, and other clay art to give away to friends and family
🐈 hanging out at home with her family and 3 cats (Snacks the Cats™, Cranky Pants, and Tiny Moose)
🎨 reading picture books as part of her three year term on the Georgia Children’s Book Award (GCBA) Picturebook (K-4) Committee
🏳️‍🌈 advocating for trans youth, protecting LGBTQ+ literature, and serving as Communications Coordinator on the PFLAG Athens Area Board
🪏Plus, did you know that Jera holds an MS in Geoscience, has been a coal mining geologist, and is certified to operate drinking water treatment plants?!

Come hang out with Jera at J.J. Harris as a literacy mentor! Applications are still open! form.jotform.com/260505668505156

We're so excited for our new and returning Storytellers mentors to be back in schools (this year at Fowler, HB Stroud, a...
08/14/2026

We're so excited for our new and returning Storytellers mentors to be back in schools (this year at Fowler, HB Stroud, and JJ Harris!) in mid-September. Our first few trainings were this past week - with many more to come throughout August!

There's still time to sign up to be a mentor! Head to form.jotform.com/260505668505156 to fill out an application. 🌟

📚✨ Happy First Day of School from Teddy & the Books for Keeps crew!We're excited for another year of Storytellers mentor...
08/05/2026

📚✨ Happy First Day of School from Teddy & the Books for Keeps crew!

We're excited for another year of Storytellers mentor visits, Bookmobile pop-ups, free book fairs, and countless moments of book joy throughout our community. We have BIG plans for the 2026–2027 school year, and we can't wait to share them with you! 💛🧸

Who's ready for another year of book joy? 🙋📚

08/04/2026

Part 3️⃣ of our staff reading thank-you notes from elementary schoolers after receiving free books from us this past year💛

Want to support the excitement? Purchase a book or two (or more!!!) from the wishlist in our bio to mail us some!✔️✔️✔️

From your phone directly to the hands of kids in Athens-Clarke County!

📣 Board applications are OPEN! 📣 Help shape the future of literacy in our community! We're looking for passionate, engag...
08/02/2026

📣 Board applications are OPEN! 📣

Help shape the future of literacy in our community!

We're looking for passionate, engaged community members to join the Books for Keeps Board of Directors. Don't fall within the preferred experience? Apply anyway! We'd love to connect.

🗓️ Applications close Friday, October 2.
🔗 Apply through the link in our bio or on our website

Know someone who'd be a fantastic addition? Share this post with them! 💛

A big THANK YOU to the leasing companies who partnered with us for our Apartment Book Drive this summer! We collected 26...
07/31/2026

A big THANK YOU to the leasing companies who partnered with us for our Apartment Book Drive this summer! We collected 269 books through our book drive partnerships (SO FAR)!

We're thrilled to share these books with the Athens community at the Community Book Fair in October & our BFK Bookmobile! Plus, a shout-out to the residents and staff at Grand Preserve for collecting the most books out of our participants!

While our book drive has ended, there are still plenty of places and times to donate your books! Stop by one of the donation locations listed on our website (booksforkeeps.org/give-books) or stop by our Warehouse Drop Day TOMORROW, Saturday, August 1 from 10-12!!

07/29/2026

NEW Instagram Series spotlighting the small but mighty staff who make Books for Keeps possible!!📣

We are kicking off with our newest staff member, Nicole Gustafason!💛🎈
If you are involved with our Storytellers Literacy Mentor Program, you'll see her around, especially if you are based at H.B. Stroud Elementary!

Interested in hanging out with Nicole even more? (We get it!) Head on over to the link in our bio to apply to be a Literacy Mentor! ✅

Want to learn more?🚀⭐️🪐 Comment questions for Nicole below!

📣Kicking off our new staff spotlight series with our newest employee, Nicole!📣Nicole joined our Storytellers Literacy Me...
07/29/2026

📣Kicking off our new staff spotlight series with our newest employee, Nicole!📣

Nicole joined our Storytellers Literacy Mentor Program as we expand to a 3rd school this fall, and will be based at H.B. Stroud Elementary.

Her favorites?
⭐️oil painting, and generally admiring old boats
⭐️trying to find the biggest snails 🐌 , berries, and bones while camping with her 8-year-old daughter
⭐️interviewing elders about loves and life lessons
⭐️trying to make safe spaces for q***r kids
⭐️climbing up to the tops of trees to find secret reading spots
⭐️barefoot creek play

Come hang out with Nicole while reading with a 1st or 2nd grade student💛

Become a Literacy Mentor: https://form.jotform.com/260505668505156

The last two warehouse drop days of the year! Mark the calendar! 📆📚🙂‍↕️We wrap up by end of September so we can give all...
07/22/2026

The last two warehouse drop days of the year! Mark the calendar! 📆📚🙂‍↕️

We wrap up by end of September so we can give all your loved books, games, and puzzles away at our 7th Annual Community Book Fair!

Address

420 Athena Drive
Athens, GA
30601

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