Book Giveaways Expand Minds, Uplift Families in Marietta

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Thousands of Spanish-language children’s books and Black history books for all ages have found new homes in Marietta, thanks to a partnership between two nonprofits. Books were not on the agenda for the North River Church of Christ chapter of HOPE Worldwide. HOPE volunteers just wanted to help their Marietta community, said Noelle Broyles, chapter leader and co-founder with her husband, Kevin Broyles.

Because books were available for free from Books For Africa, giving them away has opened doors to meet other community needs.

Most Spanish books, as well as books in English, are lent or given to children and families in nearby apartment complexes.

The Black history books were given away at Black History Month concerns at North River Churc and on the Marietta Square last year on Juneteenth - the holidy commemorating the June 19, 1865, emancipation of enslaved people in the United States.

On Juneteenth, HOPE volunteers brought 20 to 30 boxes filled with books, organized them and encouraged passersby to take what they wanted. They brought home only one box after giving out 2,000 books. The group plans another Juneteenth book giveaway in Marietta this year.

Some books on load don't come back, and that's fine, said Broyles. Other times, the books are given away.

"The whole goal is just to help them to have books," Broyles said, adding that it's difficult for these families to get books because parents don't speak English and don't have cars to go to the library.

"The very people you want to be exposed to all these books are the very ones who are having the hardest time getting them," said Broyles.

The books were recycled from the Books For Africa Warehouse. The Minnesota-based organization operates a warehouse in Marietta, where it receives large collections of books from schools, colleges, publishing companies, libraries and individuals. The books are sorted and readied for shipment to African countries when requested. However, not all of the books are wanted.

African countries don't want American history books or books written in Spanish, said Jen Hale, BFA Atlanta community liaison. Only one African country - Equatorial Guinea - has Spanish as its native language.

Hale said she is glad that Books For Africa could save these books for others.

"BFA exists to spread literacy as a bridge out of poverty anywhere in the world. We change lives, one book at a time," she said.