The Maryland Book Bank

Reminder! The Book Bank is closed tomorrow Wednesday June 24th due to re-paving work happening in our lot.

We’re thrilled to share that Charonda will be continuing with the Maryland Book Bank for another year!

Over the past year, Charonda has taken on a number of new responsibilities and risen to every challenge. In addition to supporting our Bookmobile programs, she stepped into a larger role by helping open the Book Bank for public hours and leading volunteer sessions—welcoming hundreds of volunteers and helping keep our mission moving forward.

Whether she’s working with children on the Bookmobile, assisting educators and families at the Book Bank, or guiding volunteers through a busy sorting session, Charonda brings warmth, patience, and a positive attitude to everything she does.

Her willingness to learn, grow, and take on new opportunities has made a tremendous impact on our team, and we’re excited to see her continue building on that success in the year ahead.

Thank you, Charonda, for all that you do. We’re so happy you’ll be staying with us for another year! 📚❤️

We’re excited to share that after two years as a Maryland Corps member, J Lisak has officially completed the program and is joining the Maryland Book Bank as a full-time staff member!

Over the past two years, J has become an indispensable part of our team. As Lead Program Coordinator, he has helped oversee volunteers, coordinate Bookmobile visits, support schools and community partners, and ensure that our programs run smoothly day after day. His dedication, leadership, and commitment to our mission have helped us reach more children and distribute more books than ever before.

J has a unique ability to solve problems, build relationships, and step in wherever he’s needed. Whether he’s coordinating a volunteer session, managing a busy Bookmobile schedule, or helping launch new initiatives, he consistently brings thoughtfulness, reliability, and enthusiasm to the work.

We’re incredibly grateful for everything J has contributed during his Maryland Corps service and even more excited that his journey with the Maryland Book Bank is far from over.

Congratulations, J! We’re lucky to have you on the team and can’t wait to see what comes next. 📚🎉

We’re excited to celebrate Col as he takes on a new role as Warehouse Coordinator and continues his journey with the Maryland Book Bank for another year!

Over the past year, Col has made an incredible impact on our organization. From helping lead major warehouse reorganization efforts to supporting our Bookmobile programs and tackling countless projects behind the scenes, his creativity, dedication, and problem-solving skills have helped make the Maryland Book Bank stronger and more efficient.

Many of the improvements our volunteers, staff, and partners see every day are the result of Col’s hard work and vision. Whether he’s reorganizing a space, designing a better system, or jumping in wherever help is needed, he consistently goes above and beyond.

We’re excited to see what he’ll accomplish in this new role and grateful that he’ll continue to be part of the Maryland Book Bank team.

Congratulations, Col! 📚🎉

Today, we say goodbye (but not without a few tears) to our incredible Program Coordinator, Grace Jecelin.

Over the past year, Grace has brought boundless enthusiasm, creativity, and dedication to the Maryland Book Bank. Whether she was coordinating volunteers, supporting Bookmobile visits, managing programs, or jumping into whatever challenge the day presented, Grace approached every task with positivity and a genuine passion for our mission.

Because of her hard work, thousands of children across Maryland gained access to books and opportunities to build a love of reading. Her impact on our organization, our volunteers, and the communities we serve will be felt long after her last day.

While we’re excited for her as she begins a new opportunity in Philadelphia, there’s no question that she will be deeply missed by our staff, volunteers, and everyone fortunate enough to work alongside her.

Please join us in thanking Grace for all she has done and wishing her the very best on her next adventure. Philadelphia is lucky to have you, Grace! ❤️📚

🚧 Temporary Closure Notice 🚧

The Maryland Book Bank will be closed June 22–27 while our parking lot and access road undergo repaving.

During this time:
📚 Book donations cannot be accepted, as our loading dock will be inaccessible.
🚪 Public hours on Wednesday, June 24 and Saturday, June 27 are canceled.

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience as these improvements are completed. We look forward to welcoming everyone back once the work is finished!

BookDonations NonprofitLife 📖💙💛

Today, we honor Juneteenth, a celebration of freedom, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of equity.

At the Maryland Book Bank, we believe that access to books and literacy is a vital part of creating opportunity for all children. Stories help us understand our history, amplify diverse voices, and inspire future generations to build a more just world.

As we celebrate Juneteenth, we encourage families to explore books that honor Black history, culture, achievements, and experiences. Learning, reading, and sharing stories are powerful ways to keep the spirit of this day alive.

📚 Summer volunteers, we need you! ☀️
Our summer volunteer sessions are now live on our website, and there are plenty of books waiting to be sorted, packed, and prepared for children across Maryland.
Whether you’re a longtime volunteer or looking to join us for the first time, every session helps put books into the hands of kids who need them most.
Grab a spot today and spend a few hours making a lasting impact. ❤️📖
🔗 Sign up through the volunteer page on our website.
SummerVolunteering

☀️📚 Summer adventures start here!

Join the Maryland Book Bank’s Summer Stories Series for a free outdoor literacy experience designed for Pre-K–3rd grade students.

Every other Friday, children will enjoy:
📖 A new story and theme
🎲 Interactive games
🎨 A hands-on craft
🌳 Outdoor fun with friends

📍 Druid Hill Park
🕐 1:00 PM–3:00 PM
💲 FREE (registration required)

2026 Dates:
📅 June 26
📅 July 10
📅 July 24
📅 August 7
📅 August 21

Registration helps us make sure we have enough books, crafts, and materials for everyone. Link in bio to sign up!

Come read, play, create, and explore with us all summer long! 🌞📚

LiteracyMatters ReadAcrossBaltimore FamilyFun FreeFamilyEvents BaltimoreFamilies BooksForKids ReadingAdventure EarlyLiteracy BaltimoreEvents KidsWhoRead

The school year is winding down, but the reading doesn’t have to. ☀️📚
Before summer starts, come stock up on books for your home library. Whether your kids are finishing kindergarten or heading into middle school, there’s nothing better than going into summer with a stack of stories waiting at home.
And the best part? We’re here all year long including summer!
Come visit us, explore the shelves, and take home as many adventures as you can carry. 💛