✨🎆 Happy New Year from Books Are Gems! 🎆✨

As we welcome 2026, our hearts are full of gratitude for YOU — our amazing families, teachers, volunteers, and supporters!

We’re excited to welcome families back for our first Storytime of 2026 on Saturday, January 10th! The New Year brings new books, new stories, and new adventures for our young readers.

Join us for a joyful Storytime filled with laughter, learning, and free books for children.
Let’s start 2026 together--one story at a time.

¡Nos llena de alegría dar la bienvenida a las familias a nuestro primer Storytime de 2026 el sábado 10 de enero!

El Año Nuevo trae nuevos libros, nuevas historias y nuevas aventuras para nuestros pequeños lectores.

​Acompáñenos a una hora de cuentos llena de alegría, aprendizaje y libros gratis para los niños. Comencemos el 2026 juntos--una historia a la vez.
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As always, thank you for filling Last year with generosity, laughter, and hope!

DONATE

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​Your donations Keep Us Increasing Literacy! - Thank you!!

DONATE TODAY!
Your Donation will be used for the purchase of new children's books.  Our mission is to increase literacy rates in our community by placing a book in every child's hands!
Scan QR Code to Donate today!
Thank you for your Donation!

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Books Are Gems Launches “Legal Literacy Storytime” with Support from Texas Bar Foundation
El Paso, TX -- Books Are Gems is proud to announce the launch of its newest initiative, Legal Literacy Storytime: Inspiring Kids with Justice, Rights, & Responsibility, made possible through a generous $6,500 grant from the Texas Bar Foundation.
This innovative program introduces young readers to essential legal concepts—such as fairness, justice, and civic duty—through engaging Storytime sessions, bilingual books, and interactive educational materials. The project aligns with Books Are Gems’ mission to increase literacy rates in El Paso County by providing free books and educational experiences to children and families across our community.
#TexasBarFoundation

We will notify you of Saturday events with elected officials for these Special events!

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Bookstore is open  Monday to Friday- Noon to 6 pm
Saturday from  10 a.m. -1 pm

Stop by and pick up free books for all the kids!
​Pase por aquí y recoja libros gratis para todos los niños!

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Storytime Resumes
on Saturday Jan 10th, 2026
@ 11:30 a.m.

the following Books will be read this Saturday,
First 15 families get these additional books Free!

Gloria’s Promise by Jacqueline Preiss Weitzman
Gloria has a very big dream: to be admitted to the summer program at the American Ballet Theatre. The day of the audition arrives, and Gloria couldn't be more excited! She can't wait to dance and show the world what she can do. In the ABT studios, she gets a peek into a glorious room filled with pointe shoes, ballet dancers getting fitted for tutus, and an awe-inspiring company rehearsal.

I Really, Really Love You So by Karl Newson
​
The young animal in this sweet story is determined to find increasingly extravagant ways of describing how much they love their parent—even when the parent is snoring like a lion!

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Special Announcement - Books are Gems is a Microsoft Tech Hub

Microsoft has provided us with laptops that can be used by
Adults and high School students,

The laptops can be used to create, update and print your resume!

You can also use the laptops for online training via LinkedIn!

Stop by during Bookstore hours and ask to use a laptop,
there is no charge for this!

Remember, we are open M, W, F from noon to 6 pm.
​and Saturday from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
 

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¡Ayúdanos a reducir los residuos! ¡Trae tu bolsa de reciclaje y llénala de libros!

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Cada niño puede seleccionar un nuevo libro para niños ¡y ocho (8) libros usados ​​en buen estado!
​ ​¡Son 9 libros gratis para todos los niños!
​¡Además, los padres pueden recoger libros para sus hijos! ​

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We Celebrated our 20th Birthday! Thank you Vemac for your Sponsorship!
Everyone Had a Great Time!
Celebramos nuestros veinte años ¡Cumpleaños! ¡Gracias Vemac por su patrocinio! ¡Todos se lo pasaron genial!

A Magician Performed Magic Tricks!
¡Un mago realizó trucos de magia!

Vivian Venegas Gonzalez read to the kids!
Vivian Venegas González lee a los niños!

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Your Donation Will Help Us Continue to Provide "Free" Books for Kids!
Thank you!
¡Su donación nos ayudará a continuar brindando libros "gratis" para niños! ¡Gracias!

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​We Thank You for Supporting Books are Gems Bookstore!
¡Le agradecemos su apoyo a la librería Books are Gems!

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Gratis para profesores
Libros gratis, 25 por semestre
Recursos gratuitos para profesores Libros de trabajo para estudiantes,
Gráficos, Pósters, Juegos & Más

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MEET OUR NEW BOARD MEMBER
​TOMAS PORRAS ACOSTA
Sharing his story about Books are Gems!

CONOCE A NUESTRO NUEVO MIEMBRO DE LA JUNTA ​ - TOMÁS PORRAS ACOSTA
Compartiendo su historia sobre ¡Los libros son gemas!

Click on our video below to learn more about Books are GEMS.

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How Books are GEMS began:
A Love Story

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Twenty (20) Years Later
Veinte (20) años después

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.

Desde sus inicios, Books are GEMS ha proporcionado más de 1,5 MILLONES DE LIBROS a niños y educadores. Gracias al apoyo continuo de la comunidad de El Paso, Books are GEMS continúa ampliando su alcance a través de varios programas.

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 PNC Bank building

​Línea de tiempo

• Enero de 2003: Books are GEMS se convierte en una organización sin fines de lucro 501(c)(3) y comienza la recaudación de fondos.
• Las distribuciones comienzan en Alamo, AOY y Roosevelt en el sur de El Paso.
• Los libros comienzan a fluir y el dormitorio de Gracie se desborda.
• El salón y el comedor de Paula Madriles se llenan
• El garaje de un amigo se desborda
• Paula Madriles y amigos se ven obligados a alquilar un trastero, y luego otro
• Junio de 2003: Books are GEMS se muda a la Placita Santa Fe en Doniphan
• Enero de 2006: Books are GEMS llega a su ubicación actual, 7744 North Loop, Suite B, ubicada en el lado derecho/mitad trasera del edificio PNC Bank.

Books are GEMS Programs
- Nine (9) Free Books a Month
- General Bookstore
- Free Materials for Educators
- Storytime Saturdays
- Major Distribution
- Rx to Read -for physicians

 Programas de GEMS
- Nueve (9)  libros gratis al mes
- Librería General
- Materiales gratuitos para educadores
- Sábados de cuentos
- Distribucion mayor
- Rx para leer - para doctores

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Our Location
Nuestra ubicación

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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 PNC Bank building

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DONATE

Scan the QR code or Click on the Image to Donate! Thank you!
¡Escanee el código QR o haga clic en la imagen para donar hoy! ¡Gracias!

Help place a book into the hands of a child.
Donate today to give the gift of reading!

Ayude a poner un libro en manos de un niño.
¡Dona hoy para regalar la lectura!

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