Bernie’s Book Bank, a non-profit organization that transforms children’s lives through book ownership, participated in a randomized controlled trial (RCT), carried out by an independent researcher over a five-year period (2018-2023), the results of which were recently published in the prestigious academic journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). The goal of the study was to measure the impact of providing free, high-quality books through Bernie’s Book Bank on students’ reading achievement.
In partnership with Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS), the study randomly assigned 60 schools to either receive the Bernie’s Book Bank book distribution intervention (the treatment group), or to a waitlist control group that would not receive the books until the conclusion of the study. In the treatment schools, Bernie’s Book Bank would provide all kindergarten through sixth-grade students with an average of seven high-quality free books per year, or an average of 34 free books over a five-year period.
The study found that students in the Bernie’s Book Bank schools achieved higher scores on the spring 2023 standardized state literacy assessment – the Wisconsin Forward Exam – the study’s primary outcome. The observed effect on literacy achievement would translate to approximately 25-32% of a school year in additional learning, relative to the control group.
“The results were significant for the students who received books, and even more so when we look at those students who attended Bernie’s Book Bank schools at the beginning of the study and remained in those schools through the five-year follow-up,” said third-party, independent researcher, Geoffrey D. Borman, Ph.D., Arizona State University, lead researcher on the study. “For those students, they improved their literacy by as much as 52-65% of a typical school year’s growth – over half a year of learning.”
Kim Cassel, Bernie’s Book Bank Evidence Advisor stated, “The findings from the RCT suggest that Bernie’s Book Bank’s free book distribution intervention can meaningfully improve children’s reading achievement – and do so at an incredibly low cost – less than $16 per student per year.”
For more than a century, researchers have observed that children with more books at home generally achieve better educational outcomes than those from homes with few or none. The debate is whether books alone cause better outcomes or are they merely one of many factors that impact achievement gaps between children from various backgrounds.
"This study reinforces our founding belief that better futures begin with books. These results are the product of years of hard work and faith by our team members, board members, donors, and volunteers. Free, high-quality books and in-home libraries open a world of opportunity for children, which is why we are laser-focused on getting books into the hands and homes of every child who needs them," said Brian Floriani, founder and chief advancement officer for Bernie's Book Bank. "Every child, regardless of background, should own books that support their reading growth, ignite their curiosity, and fuel their dreams. We want every child in our communities to have their very own personal library. We celebrate these results, no doubt, but this study also adds fuel to our fire to serve more children, more quickly."
About Bernie’s Book Bank
Reading is the single most important skill a child needs to succeed in life, yet, too many children lack books, especially books of their own at home. Nonprofit Bernie’s Book Bank is changing that by sourcing, processing, and delivering free, high-quality books to children who need them most, transforming children’s lives through book ownership.
Founded by Brian Floriani in 2009, Bernie’s Book Bank delivers free, high-quality books to children who need them most, helping them to build in-home libraries of their very own. Driven by the knowledge that better futures begin with books, and with the help of thousands of volunteers, the organization has sourced, processed, and distributed over 31 million free books, providing each child with eight books per year from birth through sixth grade, which helps to combat illiteracy while fostering a love of reading.
In 2026, Bernie’s Book Bank is expanding its distribution in Chicagoland, Greater Milwaukee, and Florida Suncoast. A 30,000-square-foot processing center will open in Glendale, Wis. in July, while a temporary facility will open in Florida Suncoast later this year.
Bernie’s Book Bank currently serves over 315,000 children across Chicagoland, Greater Milwaukee and Florida Suncoast.
Fueled by generous donors, committed companies, and a passionate team of partners and volunteers, Bernie’s Book Bank is driven by the belief that better futures begin with books.
To help fuel the movement of children’s book ownership in Chicagoland:
Donate Books – New and gently used children’s books
Volunteer – Sort, sticker, and bag books at the processing center
Give Support – Every $2 puts a book in a child’s hands
Partner with Us – Align your brand with the mission of Bernie’s Book Bank
For more information and ways to support Bernie’s Book Bank, visit berniesbookbank.org or contact Megan Leahy, office of the executive director of the Chicagoland chapter and national director of brand and marketing, at
Publishers and authors looking to get involved as book partners, please contact Tommy Lacher, national director of operations and technology, at
