Roughly 400 books rehomed with students from Barrett Russell 5/2025
AS OF JUNE, 2023, WE'VE GIVEN OUT
10,000+ BOOKS!
WE HAVE SURPASSED 7500 BOOKS!
PRÓXIMAMENTE
Necesitamos un traductor!
We are in the process of finding trustworthy community members to help make this page (and the linked forms) more accessible. We hope to have audio links in multiple languages soon, as well.
PROGRAM GOALS
This project started as one literacy specialist, awake at night, worrying about students' ability to get books during a pandemic. It quickly became clear that there are plenty of unused books needing children, as well. FREE BOOKS 4 KIDSÂ Â seeks to bring these books and readers together!
GET INVOLVED!
What can you do to help bring books and children together?
I KNOW CHILDREN THAT NEED BOOKS!
I HAVE BOOKS THAT NEED CHILDREN!
We are happy to connect your new or gently used books with children. Please fill out this form to begin the process!
I JUST WANT TO BE A PART OF THIS COOL PROJECT!
If you would like to help unite readers and books, here's the form for you!
SUGGESTIONS
As of the development of this page, the FREE BOOKS 4 KIDS project is still very young. Also, creating a website is a brand new skill for me! Many community members have already provided valuable connections, donated books, and given much needed advice! If you have some to share, please use the contact form below to send it along.
SHOUT OUTS!
We have too many helpers to thank every single one individually (and many are anonymous), but here is a sampling of some individuals and groups who have generously supported the project.
RESIDENTS OF SHARON
INCLUDING AN INDIVIDUAL COMPLETING
A MITZVAH PROJECT &
MEMBERS OF SHARE SHARON FB GROUP
brought in boxes and boxes of books from friends & neighbors across town.
FRIENDS AND EDUCATORS FROM MEDFIELD
donated hundreds of amazing books in just 1 day!
MUTUAL AID BROCKTON/ BROCKTON INTERFAITH COMMUNITY
assisted with publicity & translation
VINCENTE'S SUPERMARKET
for allowing us to distribute books from the parking lot!
SAFETY
As COVID safety rules continue to evolve, so do ours! We will continue to do what we can to keep our community safe. Please wear a mask if you are unvaccinated or uncomfortable with others being unmasked near you. The new trailer will have plenty of circulation, with a side door and entire open back.
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We ask that young children are accompanied by an adult.
ABOUT US
In case you're wondering who is behind this...
Hello! My name is Margaret Berges. I'm an educator of 24 years, specializing in elementary literacy for the past decade or so. I have also been a special educator (inclusion and self contained), a classroom teacher, and a literacy consultant. In fact, I worked for a few years as a consultant to Brockton through Teaching and Learning Alliance. I currently work 4 days a week as a literacy specialist (coach and interventionist) in Needham. I've also worked in Ashburnham, Douglas, Boston, Randolph, and Newton public schools.
I spent several years taking classes and researching educational inequities and ways in which our districts could more effectively connect with families. It was with this mindset, that I began thinking about the challenges of getting books in the hands of kids during remote learning and pandemic times.
I have begun the process of collecting hundreds of unused books in good condition. My goal is to find new young owners for these books. As mentioned, I have one day off a week, and would like to use the day to deliver books to kids in Brockton throughout the fall (and perhaps longer). At this point, my greatest need is to connect with families who might be interested in receiving books.
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My partners in this project are many. First off, my wife, Lauren, provides the muscle- moving books and tables, and picking up books from donors. Our 7 year old daughter is getting really good at sorting and labeling books. And the generous people in our communities and families have already donated boxes and boxes of materials, along with information, connections, and suggestions. In particular, Brockton Mutual Aid has been very helpful in getting this project started.
I invite you to review my page, provide any suggestions or advice you might have, and do whatever you can to help share it with others. I am aware of the need to provide translation of the information, and am currently working on that.
Thank you in advance for your support and partnership. Please feel free to contact me at any time with questions or ideas!