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JANUARY 2016
 4,901,255 books distributed since December 2009!

 
THANK YOU FROM A CHILD
HOST AN EVENT WITH IMPACT!
We have had a very busy first month in our new event spaces, hosting holiday parties and corporate meetings for Goldman Sachs, AbbVie, Abbott, Grainger, Albert Whitman Publishing and more!

Our event spaces can host 20 to 300 guests for:
  • Corporate meetings and team building activities
  • Private parties such as book clubs, birthday parties, family reunions, mitzvah celebrations and weddings
  • Community events of all kinds
Features of our unique and flexible event spaces:
  • One-of-a-kind volunteer experience
  • Turn-key event management
  • Variety of seating configurations including classroom-style
  • State-of-the-art audio-visual system, including large screen
  • Exclusive catering provided by acclaimed chef and restaurateur, John des Rosiers of Inovasi, WISMA and The Otherdoor in Lake Bluff
  • Range of dining options for breakfast, lunch, snacks or dinner from casual to elegant
Plus, your event investment goes directly to support our mission!
To schedule an event or find out more: contact Jessica Gardner, Event Manager at 847-780-READ (7323) or jessica@berniesbookbank.org
In This Issue
Thank You From A Child
Host an Event with Impact!
Join Our Team
Meet New Team Members
Book Processing News
A Message From Brian
Our Mission

Bernie's Book Bank collects, processes and distributes quality new and gently used children's books to significantly increase BOOK OWNERSHIP among at-risk infants, toddlers and school-age children throughout Chicagoland.

 

We have distributed over 4.5 MILLION books since December 2009 and now serve more than 130,000 at-risk children annually.

Our Goals
To serve all at-risk children who need books in the Chicagoland area with 12 quality books per year.
Get Involved
Watch Our Video
Bernie's Book Bank Distribution Video
Bernie's Book Bank Distribution Video
JOIN OUR TEAM
We are growing so fast! We need more "go-getters" to join our team! The following FULL-TIME positions are currently available. Click the job title for complete descriptions.

Manage all of our marketing and communications, raise awareness of o
ur mission and encourage involvement across our community.
 
Assist with processing center operations, volunteer groups and the processing of books.

Deliver books and book collection materials, pick up collected books and ass ist our processing center team.

We offer medical insurance, paid time off, a great working environment and long-term growth potential!
MEET NEW TEAM MEMBERS 
If you've visited or volunteered at our processing center recently, you may have met Anne, John, Jessica or Jane.  But if not, come by and introduce yourself to the newest members of our team.  We're so excited they are here and they are already making a difference for the children we serve! 
Anne
Jane
Jessica
John
Anne Penway is our newest Processing Center Specialist!   Anne is a Lake Bluff "lifer", an avid reader, a former lawyer and a trained improviser.  

Jane Adler is our new Director of Finance.  She has four children, is a CPA, a Deerfield resident and has worked for many non-profits throughout her career.

Jessica Gardner is our new Events Manager.  She has worked as the Alumni Relations and Events Manager at Lake Forest Graduate School of Management and writes the  Little Merry Sunshine  blog for  ChicagoNow .     Check it out here!

John Noster is our newest Fleet Driver!  He previously worked in the medical lab industry, and in carpentry and retail.  John holds a B.A. from Southern Illinois University and is a Lake Forest resident.   
BOOK PROCESSING NEWS
There are exciting changes happening in our processing center! We have recently implemented a new leveling software that allows team members and volunteers to quickly and accurately sort books into age-appropriate levels! 

This system will improve efficiency, ensure accuracy and maintain our high quality standards for book sorting.  

We want to give a big thank you to 
Follett , a leading distributor of educati onal  products to schools, colleges, and libraries, for its generous donation of this software and thousands of high-quality book titles.  
 
A MESSAGE FROM BRIAN
Dear Fellow Berniacs,
 
BOOM!  I feel like we were shot out of a cannon into 2016-time never relents, does it?   Happy New Year to you and yours from all of us at Bernie's Book Bank.
 
Having been operating out of our expanded facility for just about a month, we are so pleased with how it is performing already - it is a game changer for sure.
 
If you haven't been yet, come see us and volunteer - we need you more than ever! We've got big plans for 2016 as we look to significantly grow the number of at-risk children we serve with books for a better life all over the Chicagoland area.
 
I'd like to take this time to personally thank Jill Rosenberg, our departing Director of Marketing & Communications, for all her service, dedication and hard work over the past nearly 4 years. We wish you the best Jill!

Brian's signature 
Brian Floriani
Founder & Executive Director
847-780-READ (7323)
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