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Books are Gems

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Community Organizations

Nonprofit Membership 2025

About

How Books are GEMS began:
A Love Story



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Eighteen (18) Years Later
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Since its inception, Books are GEMS has provided over 1.5 MILLION BOOKS to children and educators. Thanks to ongoing support from the El Paso Community, Books are GEMS continues to expand its reach through various programs.
Timeline
  • January 2003 - Books are GEMS becomes a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and fundraising begins
  • Distributions begin at Alamo, AOY, and Roosevelt in South El Paso
  • Books begin flowing in and Gracie’s bedroom overflows
  • Paula Madriles’s living and dining room fill up
  • A friend’s garage overflows
  • Paula Madriles and friends are forced to rent a storage unit, and then another
  • June 2003: Books are GEMS moves into the Placita Santa Fe on Doniphan
  • January 2006: Books are GEMS reaches its current location, 7744 North Loop, Suite B, located on the right side / back half of the BBVA Compass Bank building

Books are GEMS Programs
- Six (6) Free Books a Month
- General Bookstore
- Free Materials for Educators
- Storytime Saturdays
- Major Distribution
- Rx to Read
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Video Media

Additional Info

Books Are GEMS
"The more you read, the more things you know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go!"
~Dr. Seuss



Your Donation Will Help Us Continue to Provide "Free" Books for Kids!
Thank you!

Celebrating:

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Saturday Story Time 2023
Every Saturday
10:30 a.m.



CURRENT PROGRAMS!

Every Child Can Select One New Children's Book
and Six Gently Used Books!
That's 7  Free Books for Every Child!
Plus, Parent's May Pick Up Books for Their Children!

We Thank You for Supporting Books are Gems Bookstore!



Join the Summer Reading Challenge for Kids! Win Great Prizes at the end of Summer:
Stop by the bookstore or
call the bookstore
@ (915) 845-5437 or
email us at : Susan@booksaregems.org

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Virtual Storytime Every Saturday
Join Us, 
Link to story time at bottom of page

This Saturday, July 8th, the Following Books will be read:

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Your Story Time Link


Join Zoom Meeting, Click the following link:
https://zoom.us/j/7088769805

Passcode: "Books"

If the Link Does not Work, Copy & Paste on your Browser Search.
You May also login to Zoom.us and enter the
Meeting I.D. 708 876 9805
Password: BOOKS

Meeting ID: 708 876 9805


Activity Sheets for you to download!








MEET OUR NEW BOARD MEMBER
TOMAS PORRAS ACOSTA
Sharing his story about Books are Gems!


Membership Type

Nonprofit Membership 2025

Contacts

Primary
Emma Acosta

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