The Open Books Bookstore Opens Doors to Literacy

    Dubbed “the most beautiful bookstore in Chicago” by the press, Open Books is a nonprofit social venture committed to promote literacy in Chicago. The organization’s headquarters is now open for business in its new three-story 15,000 square foot headquarters in River North.

    The number of illiterate adults in America exceeds by 16 million the entire vote cast for the winner in the 1980 presidential contest. Here are some other sobering statistics from the National Center for Family Literacy and Literacy Chicago: 

* 40 million adults in America read at or below the 4th grade reading level
* 61% of low income families have no children’s books at home
* 53% of adults in Chicago have low or limited literacy skills
* 21 million adults in America cannot read this sentence

    Open Books enriches lives through reading, writing, and the transformative power of used books. The organization’s mission is to provide community programs and mobilize passionate volunteers to promote literacy. Many of its programs are funded from the sale of used books. The used books sold in their retail store and online support literacy programs for 2,500 students of all ages across Chicago.

    At its opening in November, 2009, Open Books had collected over 300,000 used books. In addition, the organization partners with some of the city’s best literacy groups to provide a range of other volunteer opportunities. Open Books frequently sponsors events to promote its mission, ranging from writing workshops and craft nights to film screenings and weekly children’s book readings. The store is happy to accept donations of sellable books (for kids or adults) in good condition. All book donations are tax-deductible.

    To find out more about Open Books programs and events, stop in at their delightful new retail space in River North or visit them online at http://www.open-books.org. Whether you donate, volunteer, or purchase a book, Open Books is an organization that is worthy of your support and patronage.

Open Books
213 W. Institute Pl.
Chicago, IL 60610
Monday—Saturday 10am—7pm