Miami Book Bridge collects gently used books from homes, schools, and libraries and gets them into the hands of the kids, teens, and families who need them, expanding literacy across Miami and beyond.
Miami Book Bridge was founded by Ella Brandt with one simple idea: collect gently used books from homes, schools, and libraries across Miami and get them into the hands of people who need them.
Our core mission has always been about access: bringing stories directly to youth and families who might not otherwise have the opportunity or means to get them. Through book drives, community pickups, partner donations, and mini-library installations, a youth-led effort has grown into a community-wide one.
āEvery book that you no longer need can become someoneās escape, comfort, or new beginning.āElla Brandt, Founder (from our first Instagram post)
Every number below comes straight from our own updates. Thank you to everyone who has donated, shared, and supported us.
We partner with community centers, nonprofits, and libraries to stock shelves, install mini-libraries, and get books straight into readersā hands.
A brand-new library for the kids, teens, and adults at the heartbeat of the Liberty City community, plus our 4th official mini-library in the welcome area, packed with childrenās books.
A fully stocked library for students in the after-school program, who can also take their favorite stories home to keep.
A donation to restock the shelves and mobile outposts of Miamiās nonprofit mobile library and first and only free bookstore, where everyone gets a free book.
Our bright red drop-off box in the lobby hosted the summer book drive. It overflowed just three weeks in, and the books went toward the TACOLCY library.
āA book collected in Miami. A reader empowered in The Bahamas.ā Together with EEO, books made their way to young readers across the islands.
Weāre partnering with One SMILE at a Time Special Olympics to collect gently used childrenās and young adult books to share locally. This December, weāll also send small paperback National Geographic books to Africa through One SMILE at a Time, giving children the chance to explore the world and see possibilities beyond their own communities.
October 17 ā December 12, 2026
Shipping in December
C. Lawton McCall Community Center
9617 Park Drive, Miami Shores, FL 33138
Every book can open a new door. āØ
Highlights from our Instagram. Tap a photo to see it larger.
Weāre honored that local magazines have shared our mission with their neighborhoods. Thank you to SunJa Leon for writing about our work.
A feature by SunJa Leon highlighting our first nine months of bringing free books to communities across the city.
A piece by SunJa Leon of Impact Partners Agency sharing our mission with the Miami Shores neighborhood.
When you drop off a book, you make community collaborations like these possible.
Have new or gently used childrenās or young adult books? Bring them to our current drive at the C. Lawton McCall Community Center (Oct 17 ā Dec 12, 2026), or DM us to arrange a donation.
See drive detailsAre you an organization that would love a mini-library installed, or do you need books to fill the shelves of an existing library? Reach out by DM. Weād love to partner with you.
Message us on InstagramHelp us send small paperback National Geographic books to Africa this December by choosing a book from our wishlist.
Open the wishlistThe best way to reach us is a direct message on Instagram. DM @miamibookbridge about donations, partnerships, or mini-library requests.
DM @miamibookbridge