What is Bill’s Bookshelf? 

Bill’s Bookshelf is a project that provides new or gently used children’s books to families in the community for free. These bookshelves are placed where low-income families can easily access them, and children are invited to choose a book to keep.

Who is Bill? 

Bill Holmes was a man who loved books. He was also a professor, author, husband, dad, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He volunteered with us for more than 15 years, giving 15,000 hours of his time to help others learn. When Bill passed away in 2011, friends and family donated to PAVE East Texas in his name. Through these donations, Bill’s Bookshelf was born. 

Why Bill’s Bookshelf?

Bill’s Bookshelf addresses a critical need in our community where 61% of low-income families lack children's books at home. Research shows that 37% of children start kindergarten without essential skills for lifelong learning. By placing bookshelves in accessible locations for these families, we aim to bridge this gap by providing new or gently used children’s books free of charge. This initiative not only promotes literacy but also nurtures a love for reading from an early age, fostering a brighter future for every child in our community.

How can I help? 

• Hold a Book Drive: A great service project for schools, churches, scouts, or other organizations; groups can collect new or gently used children’s books (birth–8 years old).

• Become a Bookshelf Caretaker: Each bookshelf is assigned a caretaker – an individual or group of volunteers willing to maintain the bookshelf and restock as needed.

• Screen Bookshelf Books: A great opportunity for volunteers of any age! Books are screened for age appropriateness and damage, then affixed with the Bill’s Bookshelf sticker.

• Host a Bookshelf or Become a Collection Site: Additional bookshelf sites are available, and collecting books at your location is a great way to get involved.

For more information, contact Jacob Matthews at jmatthews@PAVEetx.org or 903-533-0330.