Who We Are

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MISSION:

Book’em's mission is to create a more literate Nashville and ignite children’s passion for reading through book ownership and enthusiastic volunteers. 

VISION:

We envision a future in Nashville where all children own books and know first-hand the joy and value of reading.

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Annual Books Distributed

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

Two girls reading their books from Book'em together.
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View More: https://keepsakeportraitsbylisa.pass.us/bookem

History

Book’em began in 1989 when four women (Lee Fairbend, Karen Estevez-Gill, Georgeanne Chapman, and Ruth Ann Harnisch) united to find opportunities to assist the local chapter of Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), the largest non-profit children's literacy organization in the United States, in meeting its needs for books and volunteers. Books were collected and distributed through the Christmas Clearing Bureau, and eventually these distributions were expanded to schools and community organizations - Books for Nashville's Kids was born.  Book'em grew through the years, distributing tens of thousands of books annually and adding Ready for Reading, a volunteer-based reading program in early learning centers. Book’em merged with RIF in 2006, and now administers the RIF program in 15 Title I Metro Nashville elementary schools.

Photos © KPL Photography

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