DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS, WE ARE NOT ACCEPTING BOOK DONATIONS!
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Who is Books are GEMS?

Click on our video below to learn more about Books are GEMS.
Placing a book into the hands of a child 
​not only changes her or his life, 
it also strengthens a community. 
Books Are GEMS is dedicated to 
​empowering families through literacy.

How Books are GEMS began:
A Love Story

Sixteen (16) Years Later
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

Books are GEMS Today

Our Calendar

Hours of Operation

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    Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (MST)

Saturdays
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Noon (MST)

Storytime Saturdays: 10:30 a.m. (MST)

Our Location

Books are GEMS

Phone:
(915) 845-5437

Address:
7744 North Loop, Suite B
El Paso, Texas 79915

Trouble finding us?

Books Are GEMS is located on the right side / back half
of the BBVA Compass Bank building. -->
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Help place a book into the hands of a child.
Donate today to give the gift of reading!