In just 10 days, Bookie’s New and Used Books has donated more than $2,400 to local schools through its popular book fair program — proving that the power of reading can extend far beyond the page.
The donations, totaling $2,454, were raised during a series of school-hosted book fairs organized by Bookie’s, with more checks headed out this week.
“We’re thrilled to be making such a tangible impact through reading,” said Rich Wojcikowski, operations manager at Bookie’s, located at 10324 S. Western Ave. in Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood. “This program is about building community.”
Bookie’s is an independent bookstore and a community staple on the South Side for nearly 30 years. The store offers a wide selection of new and used books, from current bestsellers to hard-to-find treasures, attracting readers of all ages and interests.
The book fair program is just one of the ways Bookie’s supports local education.
“We’re able to set up an on-site bookstore right at the schools and offer an alternative to Scholastic book fairs,” Wojcikowski, of Homewood, said.
During each fair, a curated selection of titles — based on student suggestions, new series, and staff favorites — is made available to students and families.
“We also make sure to have a very diverse selection of books — representation is so important,” said Keith Lewis, of Beverly and owner of Bookie’s. “We offer new titles, new authors, and the feedback has been amazing.”
Half of the proceeds are donated directly back to the host school. The funds can be used for classroom supplies, library materials or other student-focused initiatives.
“What’s even better is that if a kid is looking for a particular book that we don’t have at the fair, we can call the store, order it, and have it personally delivered to the student at school that same week,” Lewis said.
Bookie’s started offering book fairs four years ago and has seen demand grow, particularly over the past two years. The store has held more than 30 fairs, which can last anywhere from two to five days depending on the school’s size.
With fall and spring fair dates filling up fast, Bookie’s is encouraging more schools to get involved.
“We’d love to add your school to the list,” Wojcikowski said. “It’s a simple way to make a lasting impact.”
To schedule a book fair or learn more about the program, schools can contact Wojcikowski at Bookie’s at 773-239-1110.