The GBS Library hosted its first children’s book drive for Bernie’s Book Bank April 9 – 20.  The book drive’s goal was to collect 8,000 books for  underprivileged kids throughout Chicago, according to GBS librarian Carol May.  The book drive was a competition between grade levels. May said that if the school decides to host the book drive annually, a trophy constructed of books will be engraved with the winning class each year.

“I remember how exciting [reading] was,” sophomore Hannah Schiller said. “I want other kids to be able to have that same experience.”

According to May, the inspiration for the book drive came from the librarians’ enthusiasm about books.

“There are kids out there that never have a book of their own; maybe we could do something to rectify that.” May said.

Bernie’s Book Bank, a non-for profit organization, has donated over 650,000 books according to www.berniesbookbank.org

“When you read as a child…you love just experiencing different things, because books can take you to different worlds,” May said.

“…What makes people want to continue to be readers is if they read as a [young] child.”