BookSmiles
  • About Us
    • Contact Team/Location
    • Our Story
    • Board of Directors
    • Employment
    • Testimonials
    • Monthly Newsletter
    • Blog
  • Teacher Take Registration
  • Get Involved
    • Volunteer to Sort
    • Hold a Book Drive
    • Become an Ambassador
    • Painting a Collection Bin
  • DONATE
    • Donate Books >
      • Grown Up Book Donations
    • Monthly Donations
    • Legacy Library
    • Estate Libraries
    • Tribute Page
    • Planned Giving >
      • Bequest
      • Qualified Charitable Distribution from IRA
      • Life Insurance
      • Other Beneficiary Designation
    • Lifetime Gifts >
      • Gifts of Stock
      • Qualified Charitable Distribution from IRA
      • Matching Gifts
  • Press/Media
    • Fact Sheet
    • Press Release >
      • Nick Ferroni
  • Events
    • Teacher Take Event Pics 9-14-2023
    • 2024 5K Race Pics
  • Programs
    • Daycare Delivery Request Form
    • Request a Book Distribution Event

The Story Behind The Start

Founder Larry Abrams has been an intense reader since he was three.  His family had lots of books, newspapers, and magazines around the house.  When he got older, he raided used bookstores, finding value in books loved by others.  

The idea for BookSmiles struck him several years ago after he asked one of his seniors what she was reading to her 2-year old.  She smiled at him and said that her girl was too little to understand, going on to say, "Reading to children just isn't part of my culture."

At the time, Larry had no books ready to give to her, but he could tell her about the urgency to read to her daughter.  Not long after, he put out a call to friends and on social media for gently used children's books and a few thousand came in!

Larry stored thousands of books in his classroom, garage, and synagogue's copy room before opening the first BookSmiles Book Bank Cherry Hill in August 2019. The pandemic accelarated growth.

 In September 2022, the Book Bank moved to its current 4,300 sq. ft. location in Pennsauken and we are now  processing and distributing over 1,000,000 used children's books each year!
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Location

7300 North Crescent Blvd. #10, Pennsauken, NJ 08110
Phone: 856-661-7480

 HOURS

Monday-Friday
9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM-3:00 PM


Collection bins outside office 24/7 for after hour book donations.



BookSmiles is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  
Our EIN# is 82-3233733

Picture

FOLLOW Us

CONTACT US: CLICK HERE

Picture
Picture
  • About Us
    • Contact Team/Location
    • Our Story
    • Board of Directors
    • Employment
    • Testimonials
    • Monthly Newsletter
    • Blog
  • Teacher Take Registration
  • Get Involved
    • Volunteer to Sort
    • Hold a Book Drive
    • Become an Ambassador
    • Painting a Collection Bin
  • DONATE
    • Donate Books >
      • Grown Up Book Donations
    • Monthly Donations
    • Legacy Library
    • Estate Libraries
    • Tribute Page
    • Planned Giving >
      • Bequest
      • Qualified Charitable Distribution from IRA
      • Life Insurance
      • Other Beneficiary Designation
    • Lifetime Gifts >
      • Gifts of Stock
      • Qualified Charitable Distribution from IRA
      • Matching Gifts
  • Press/Media
    • Fact Sheet
    • Press Release >
      • Nick Ferroni
  • Events
    • Teacher Take Event Pics 9-14-2023
    • 2024 5K Race Pics
  • Programs
    • Daycare Delivery Request Form
    • Request a Book Distribution Event