Introduction to Bookie’s Bookstore and the FAIR Fund
BEVERLY — As the owner of Bookie’s bookstore, Keith Lewis knows how special a school book fair can be. But what should be a memorable part of students’ school experiences can instead turn sour for children who don’t have the money to take their favorite titles home, he said. “One of the worst things is for kids to come in with no money and not be able to get anything,” Lewis said. “That’s upsetting to see. I’ve seen kids in tears because they see a book they really want, and they just can’t get it.”
The Mission of the FAIR Fund
To address this, the owner of the longtime Beverly bookstore, 10324 S. Western Ave., founded the nonprofit For Access and Inclusion in Reading Fund Chicago last year with a mission to ensure that students attending his book fairs can pick out and purchase their own books. Lewis started the nonprofit, also known as the FAIR Fund, to remove cost as a barrier to literacy, ensuring students walk away with stories they’ve chosen themselves — books that reflect their curiosity, culture and voice.
How the FAIR Fund Works
FAIR Fund Chicago founder Keith Lewis holds a sign in support of the local nonprofit aimed at removing cost as a barrier to literacy at school book fairs. Credit: Jim Lynch/Block Club Chicago
To donate, visit FAIR Fund Chicago’s website. “There is something to be said for book ownership, to be able to have books at home that you can read, reread and just grab off the shelf on a snowy day,” Lewis said.
Upcoming Book Fairs and Events
The nonprofit has raised enough money to provide 200 students with $25 vouchers to spend at upcoming Bookie’s book fairs. Lewis said the nonprofit plans to provide funding for all 240 students at Rudyard Kipling Elementary School in Washington Heights during a Bookie’s book fair in March. FAIR Fund Chicago is accepting donations to help raise more money for the upcoming book fair and beyond. “We are excited to start with Kipling, but we need to fund the next one as well,” he said.
Book Selection and Voucher Use
Bookie’s will often curate their book fair collection to the individual schools they are visiting. The Beverly business plans to host ten book fairs at schools over the course of the next tens weeks. Credit: Provided
Lewis said staff at FAIR Fund Chicago use a variety of data to determine which schools to subsidize book fairs for, including past book fair performance and need. Bookie’s has 10 book fairs within the next 10 weeks, and Lewis said his staff works hard to make each event special. “We curate our book selection for the specific schools that we’re going to,” Lewis said. “Kids like to see themselves in the books that they read. We bring a lot of diverse titles and things that we think they are going to want to read.”
The Impact of the FAIR Fund
For Lewis, every student entering a book fair deserves to choose books freely and confidently — without worrying about price. He said the nonprofit’s $25 vouchers can go a long way at a book fair. “It can be a nice stack of books,” Lewis said. “Some books are expensive, and some are cheap. What the kids get is up to them. Bookie’s brings new books, used books and bargain books.” With a variety of new releases, discounted publisher remainders and used books, students have options with their vouchers. “It’s a nice start to a home library,” Lewis said. “The kids can choose the books they want and bring them home. That’s what we’re looking to do, because there is power in choice and being able to choose the books that you want to read.”
About Bookie’s Bookstore
Bookie’s has been in Beverly for over 35 years. The independent bookstore travels across the area for book fairs at the elementary and high school level. The bookstore brings in some of the latest titles and donates a percentage of proceeds back to the schools. “They can choose what they want to do with the money. They can either take store credit and fill up their school libraries, or they can also take cash and do whatever they need for the school,” Lewis said.
Conclusion
The FAIR Fund is making a significant impact in the community by providing students with the opportunity to choose and own their own books. By removing the cost barrier, the nonprofit is empowering students to build their home libraries and develop a love for reading. With the support of donations, the FAIR Fund can continue to provide vouchers
