Philly Book Bank

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Philadelphia, PA
Philly Book Bank

The Philly Book Bank believes every child deserves to read. Our mission is to surround children with opportunities to find books to call their own.

We provide teachers, community members, and organizations serving children with constant access to books.

09/18/2026

We hoped The Listening Room would be special. It was.

Our first gathering was filled with stories, creativity, laughter, connection, and some truly wonderful moments. Children and families read together, wrote, shared, listened—and most importantly, had a fantastic time.

And we’re doing it again!

📚 Stories & conversation
✍️ Creative writing
🎤 Optional open mic
📖 Free books to take home
🍽️ Free food
🎁 $25 gift card for every family who stays through the end of the program

Thursday, September 24 | 4:30–6:30 PM
Intercultural Family Services
Grades 2–6 • Siblings and families welcome

The Listening Room is a place for children to discover their voices, celebrate what makes them unique, and know that what they have to say matters.

Come discover. Write. Share. Connect.

09/03/2026

Do you have a program or service but need a place to offer it?

We're expanding the Philly Book Bank's West Philly location into a Family Resource & Literacy Hub.

We already have a book room, Community Living Room, office area, and flexible program space. Now we're looking for organizations that could put the space to good use.

Maybe you're a small nonprofit meeting people in coffee shops. Maybe you have a great in-person program but can't afford your own space.

We'd like to offer your organization a hand up.

Space will be available at a very modest cost.

The Philly Book Bank and Literacy and More are already working together here, and we'd love to bring in others.

Interested? DM us or call 215-279-7450. And please share this with someone who might be a good fit.

08/06/2026

Something new is coming to West Philadelphia!

We're excited to help launch The Listening Room at IFS, a new monthly storytelling experience where children and families can read together, write, share their stories, and spend time together.

As part of the program, every child will have the opportunity to choose free books to take home from the Philly Book Bank because we believe every child deserves books they're excited to read.

📍 IFS Community Center
4240 Chestnut Street

📅 Thursdays | 4:30–6:30 PM
August 20 • September 24 • October 22

We can't wait to help West Philadelphia families discover new stories together.

07/31/2026

A huge thank you to National Philanthropic Trust, for hosting another wonderful volunteer event and for your continued support of the Philly Book Bank!

Your team spent the afternoon creating Reading Encouragement Kits, making beautiful corner bookmarks and encouragement cards, and helping refresh donated books so they're ready for their next readers.

Every bookmark, every encouraging message, and every book you prepared will help brighten a child's day and make reading feel even more special.

Thank you for investing your time, creativity, and kindness in Philadelphia's children. We are so grateful for your partnership.

06/22/2026

WEST PHILLY BOOK HUB IS OPEN!

Families, stop by and get free books for the children in your life!

📍 Intercultural Family Services (IFS)
4240 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

🕐 Thursdays | 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM

We're excited to bring free, diverse children's books to West Philadelphia and help more families build home libraries.

📢 Please check our Facebook and Instagram pages for any schedule changes or occasional Thursday closings.

Access to Books. Changes Outcomes.

Interested in volunteering at our West Philly Hub? We'd love to hear from you!

06/15/2026

Summer hours begin Wednesday, June 17!

As the school year comes to a close and building schedules change for the summer, the Philly Book Bank's West Oak Lane Location will transition to summer hours.

*Donations & Pickups
📍 MLK High School, 6100 Stenton Ave.
🕙 Wednesdays, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
📞 215-279-7450

Access to Books. Changes Outcomes.

06/06/2026

📚 Wednesday, June 10

Our MLK location will be closed for the day as we join our valued community partner, Intercultural Family Services, in celebrating the grand opening and ribbon cutting of their new building!

📍 4240 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
🕚 Ceremony begins at 11:00 AM

We're proud to be part of this exciting milestone and will be there until 4:00 PM welcoming visitors to our Hub space. Stop by and say hello!

Congratulations to the Intercultural Family Services team on this wonderful achievement and their continued impact on Philadelphia families.

Access to Books. Changes Outcomes.

04/11/2026

Empowering Minds Through Spaces for Books & Community, Thank you University of Pennsylvania's Students

04/09/2026

Another Amazing Book Drive! Thank you Saint Joseph's University!

04/08/2026

Thank you Bala Consulting Engineers for Books That Keep Giving!

Address

Martin Luther King High School, 6100 Stenton Avenue, Room T137
Philadelphia, PA
19138

Telephone

+12152797450

Website

https://phillybookbank.org/

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