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Unlocking the Insights: 2024 Texas Reading Survey Highlights - BookSpring
In August and September 2024, BookSpring conducted its annual Texas Reading Survey to understand family reading habits, book ownership, and school engagement. With 752 responses from parents of children 12 and under, this year’s findings shed light on significant trends, challenges, and opportunities for promoting book access and literacy across Texas. This year, we are […]
Celebrate BookSpring Day: A Call to Share Your Memories - BookSpring
This November 19th, 2024, the City of Austin will officially recognize BookSpring Day, a celebration of 50 years of literacy and community impact by BookSpring. Since our founding in 1974 as Friends of Reading is Fundamental of Austin, we’ve helped countless Central Texas families unlock a lifetime of learning by providing free books and resources. […]
Books Beginning at Birth: Celebrating Our Progress So Far - BookSpring
Books Beginning at Birth (B3), our collaborative program with the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children, continues to make a significant impact in the lives of families and children across Texas. Our goal has always been to foster early literacy and create lasting family bonds through reading, and the results of our program […]
About Books Beginning at Birth - BookSpring
I love the books from Books Beginning at Birth because my child is now reading words that he was not reading before. He’s showing more growth in his reading. He is looking at the pictures and, sounding out words, and it is making me a proud parent. Thank you. About Books Beginning at Birth
Kate Rhodes - BookSpring
Kate Rhodes is a Commercial Real Estate Broker at Cresa. She previously worked as a tech Software Developer and Product Manager after graduating from Texas A&M University with a B.B.A. in Management Information Systems. She has been a member of the Junior League of Austin since 2013 serving in various leadership roles such as Coats […]
Marvin Davis - BookSpring
Marvin is an accomplished Retail Manager with a rich history in the retail sector, including successful stints at Golfsmith and his current role at WorkQuest. With a strong focus on customer service, visual merchandising, and sales management, he is a results-driven professional who consistently exceeds expectations. Marvin’s diverse skill set, encompassing store operations, inventory management, […]
Erin Dempsey - BookSpring
Erin is an activist, community volunteer, commercial real estate attorney, former small business owner and mother of two daughters. She spent the first 18 years of her career practicing law in various large U.S. law firms as a commercial real estate attorney, and in 2017 she co-founded Bess & George, a women’s clothing company located […]
Kellie Sauls - BookSpring
Kellie Sauls (she/her) is a dedicated DEI leader proudly calling Austin, Texas, her home. Her passion lies in guiding and supporting others on their unique journeys of growth and development and actively supporting current and future leaders of our dynamic community.Kellie is a former early childhood educator so literacy development at a young age holds […]
Ginger Weber - BookSpring
Ginger attended the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in Elementary Education with a minor in psychology and an endorsement in special education. After teaching 1st, 3rd, and Special Ed at Pillow Elementary in Austin ISD for 33 years, she decided to retire. At this time, she is a mentor and plans to volunteer, travel, […]
Casey Gibbs - BookSpring
Casey Gibbs is the Director of the Library at St. Edward’s University and a family man, musician, gardener, amateur radio operator, and game master. A native Austinite and UT alumnus, Casey has also lived in Chicago, where he earned his Master’s in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois and worked in education […]
Gail Durrett - BookSpring
Gail grew up as a camper and then counselor at a YMCA camp on the shores of Lake Erie (PA). It is here that she developed a passion for working with children. Coupled with her love of reading and learning, she also played school in her basement. Later in her professional life she would return […]
David Rice - BookSpring
David has always lived in Texas. Born in 1964 in Weslaco, he now divides his time between Austin and the Rio Grande Valley, where he teaches and mentors high school students in creative writing. South Texas and his Mexican American culture are the inspiration for his work. He is the award-winning author of Give the […]
Matt Rester - BookSpring
I am honored to serve on the BookSpring board. I am so impressed with the organization, and the quality of the board was so apparent during the recent acquisition process! I am originally from Kansas City, graduated from the University of Kansas and went to work for Hallmark Cards in varying roles of responsibility for 15 […]
Susan Patterson - BookSpring
Susan graduated from Dartmouth College and worked in the investment banking and high-tech industries for 25 years before becoming a licensed real estate agent in 2007. She embraces the Austin lifestyle, lives downtown, and loves sampling all the city has to offer. Susan loves to catch local theater productions at the Austin Playhouse, exercise on […]
Sarah Hill, Accounting Manager, ext. 100 - BookSpring
As the lead bookkeeper, proofreader, and support for fundraising activities and events, Sarah brings her knack for organization to BookSpring by handling the little things that keep the wheels turning. A native Austinite, she grew up surrounded by overstuffed bookshelves and believes every child should have that same opportunity. As a kid, some of her […]
Josiah Guajardo, Family Literacy Program Aide - BookSpring
Josiah is a Family Literacy Program Aide for Bookspring. He was raised in League City, Texas just outside of Houston and moved to Austin to attend St. Edwards University. He is a student-athlete on the Men’s Cross Country and Track team and is majoring in Math, minoring in Physics. Coming from a low-income family, he […]
Karen Arneson, Partner Manager, ext. 108 - BookSpring
In addition to being the partner lead for the Books Beginning at Birth program, Karen coordinates and delivers programs that build early literacy and cultivate family engagement in reading through community partnership collaborations through Early Books for Me and Parent Book Clubs. Originally from El Paso, she moved to Austin to attend the University of Texas where she graduated with […]
Bianca Paz-Cisneros, Director of Development, ext. 104 - BookSpring
If you’re wanting to join the Flying Book Society with a recurring gift or become a sponsor of BookSpring Fest, Bianca is your contact! Bianca grew up in Brownsville, Texas, and has a BA in Communication and a minor in writing. After college, she decided to pursue a life of nonprofit work. Having all four […]
Ana Krueger, Communications Coordinator, ext. 111 - BookSpring
As Communications Coordinator, Ana oversees BookSprings’ communication channels and social media. Ana grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, and has a fondness for mountains and evergreens. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BS in Marketing and a minor in Creative Writing. Ana is very passionate about the power of stories and […]
Jessy Morris, Logistics Manager, ext. 105 - BookSpring
No matter if you’re an individual looking for a way to give back or leading a group of volunteers for a team building event, Jessy is the person to reach for helpful activities across all programs and book donation deliveries. Jessy recruits, trains, and oversees all BookSpring volunteers, and also manages our Open Book and […]
Emily Ball Cicchini, PhD, Executive Director, ext. 106 - BookSpring
Serving as Executive Director since 2015, Emily is inspired by the vision of sustaining a steady stream of the right books to the right kids at the right time. She has over 30 years of experience in nonprofit and education sectors, including leadership roles with Austin Creative Alliance, Texans for the Arts, ScriptWorks, VSA Arts […]
Jimmy Minter, Operations Manager, ext. 107 - BookSpring
Filling the need to keep day-to-day operations smooth, Jimmy manages the facilities, things, and all Work Study and Internship programs of BookSpring. Raised in Bastrop, Jimmy attended Bastrop High School and later the University of Texas at Austin. During high school, he wrote music with several bands. This was when he realized and embraced his […]
Penny, Office Cat, ext. meow - BookSpring
Penny is our fierce shelfkeeper here at BookSpring. She was found in the storm drain behind headquarters and quickly stole the hearts of BookSpring staff. She was given the name ‘Penny’ after the infamous book villain ‘Pennywise,’ who also lived in the storm drains. After transitioning from storm drain kitty to office associate, Penny made […]
Veronica Gonzalez, Family Literacy Program Aide - BookSpring
Veronica is a Family Literacy Program Aide for BookSpring. Veronica was born and raised in Austin, Texas and attends Texas State University in San Marcos. She is majoring in animal science with a concentration in pre-vet. When not at BookSpring or facilitating BookSpring programs she enjoys playing beach volleyball, reading, coloring and just being outside. […]
Ana Krueger- Communications Coordinator, ext. 111 - BookSpring
As Communications Coordinator, Ana oversees BookSprings’ communication channels and social media. Ana grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, and has a fondness for mountains and evergreens. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BS in Marketing and a minor in Creative Writing. Ana is very passionate about the power of stories and […]
Jimmy Minter: Operations Manager, ext. 107 - BookSpring
Filling the need to keep day-to-day operations smooth, Jimmy manages the facilities, things, and all Work Study and Internship programs of BookSpring. Raised in Bastrop, Jimmy attended Bastrop High School and later the University of Texas at Austin. During high school, he wrote music with several bands. This was when he realized and embraced his […]
Emily Ball Cicchini, PhD, Executive Director, ext. 106 - BookSpring
Serving as Executive Director since 2015, Emily is inspired by the vision of sustaining a steady stream of the right books to the right kids at the right time. She has over 30 years of experience in nonprofit and education sectors, including leadership roles with Austin Creative Alliance, Texans for the Arts, ScriptWorks, VSA Arts […]
Penny- Office Cat, ext. meow - BookSpring
Penny is our fierce shelfkeeper here at BookSpring. She was found in the storm drain behind headquarters and quickly stole the hearts of BookSpring staff. She was given the name ‘Penny’ after the infamous book villain ‘Pennywise,’ who also lived in the storm drains. After transitioning from storm drain kitty to office associate, Penny made […]
Josiah Guajardo- Family Literacy Program Aide - BookSpring
Josiah is a Family Literacy Program Aide for Bookspring. He was raised in League City, Texas just outside of Houston and moved to Austin to attend St. Edwards University. He is a student-athlete on the Men’s Cross Country and Track team and is majoring in Math, minoring in Physics. Coming from a low-income family, he […]
Sarah Hill- Accounting Manager, ext. 100 - BookSpring
As the lead bookkeeper, proofreader, and support for fundraising activities and events, Sarah brings her knack for organization to BookSpring by handling the little things that keep the wheels turning. A native Austinite, she grew up surrounded by overstuffed bookshelves and believes every child should have that same opportunity. As a kid, some of her […]
Veronica Gonzalez- Family Literacy Program Aide - BookSpring
Veronica is a Family Literacy Program Aide for BookSpring. Veronica was born and raised in Austin, Texas and attends Texas State University in San Marcos. She is majoring in animal science with a concentration in pre-vet. When not at BookSpring or facilitating BookSpring programs she enjoys playing beach volleyball, reading, coloring and just being outside. […]
Karen Arneson- Partner Manager, ext. 108 - BookSpring
In addition to being the partner lead for the Books Beginning at Birth program, Karen coordinates and delivers programs that build early literacy and cultivate family engagement in reading through community partnership collaborations through Early Books for Me and Parent Book Clubs. Originally from El Paso, she moved to Austin to attend the University of Texas where she graduated with […]
Jessy Morris- Logistics Manager, ext. 105 - BookSpring
No matter if you’re an individual looking for a way to give back or leading a group of volunteers for a team building event, Jessy is the person to reach for helpful activities across all programs and book donation deliveries. Jessy recruits, trains, and oversees all BookSpring volunteers, and also manages our Open Book and […]
Bianca Paz-Cisneros- Director of Development and Public Relations, ext. 104 - BookSpring
If you’re wanting to join the Flying Book Society with a recurring gift or become a sponsor of BookSpring Fest, Bianca is your contact! Bianca grew up in Brownsville, Texas, and has a BA in Communication and a minor in writing. After college, she decided to pursue a life of nonprofit work. Having all four […]
Anushka Godambe’s Continued Effort: 40,000 Books Donated to BookSpring - BookSpring
In a remarkable follow-up to our previous story, Anushka Godambe, a former student at Westlake High School in Austin, Texas, has continued her incredible journey of giving. Since our last update, Anushka has expanded her efforts, and with her unwavering dedication, she has now collected and donated over 40,000 books to BookSpring over the last […]