Bernie’s Book Bank Lands in Glendale: A Conversation with Executive Director Jenna Renno
Bernie’s Book Bank of Greater Milwaukee is about to open the doors of its new Glendale facility—a 30,000-square-foot space that will welcome volunteers of all ages, process thousands of books each week, and fuel a mission rooted in literacy, equity, and community.
Executive Director Jenna Renno has helped bring the organization’s next chapter to life. In this conversation, she shares why the North Shore was the right home for the expansion, the school moments that keep the work personal, and how families can get involved in helping distribute high-quality books to children across under-resourced communities.
Congrats on opening a new facility in Glendale in the North Shore! Can you share more about why you’re opening this location and who it will serve?
Thank you! We signed the lease in September and anticipate we will be open and operational by late spring at 5235 Ironwood Rd - right down the street from Bavarian Brewhouse.
The 30,000-square-foot facility will be used as an office for our team, book storage, and a book processing/volunteer center. We will have 3-5, 90-minute volunteer shifts every week where guests of all ages and abilities can help prepare books for distribution into schools in under-resourced communities.
A hard hat tour of the future Bernie’s Book Bank
What first drew you to Bernie’s Book Bank, and what keeps you energized about the mission day to day?
Oh so many things…
Our founder Brian Floriani is so passionate, kind and inspiring. He built this operation out of his garage through intense dedication and pure heart. It has now grown to deliver 30 million books over the past 16 years! Once I saw the headquarters in Lake Bluff, I was sold. The quality of the books, the thoughtfulness of how the bags are curated, the community, the simplicity, the efficiency of the operation - all of it.
We operate like a business and think like a brand. It’s not like any nonprofit organization that I’ve worked with. We are all privately funded and it all runs on quality relationships.
I’ve also really enjoyed the partnerships I’ve built with organizations in Milwaukee like Reach Out and Read, Penfield Children’s Center, Next Door Foundation, North Shore Chamber, Betty Brinn Children’s Museum. There are so many wonderful people passionate about literacy in our community. The more we can collaborate and own one small piece of the equation, the quicker we can solve this literacy crisis that will have serious ripple effects on our community and economy in the future.
What’s a moment in a Milwaukee-area school that made the impact of this work feel personal to you?
Delivering books to Notre Dame School of Milwaukee
Last week we delivered books to Notre Dame School in Milwaukee and that is where I started my fundraising career right out of college and discovered my love of service to the community.
I couldn’t believe how much the school has grown since I was there and seeing that there were still some of the same staff and volunteers involved made me so happy.
The students were so respectful and excited. Seeing how much they value books was really special.
As executive director, what leadership lesson most shapes how you run a high-throughput nonprofit logistics operation?
I always try to lead with authenticity and transparency. Being able to own up to mistakes and proactively seek a solution is something I try to model.
Everything revolves around good relationships and these days, there is not always a clear delineation between work and personal life so it’s important to show people compassion so they feel supported and valued. I’ve found that bringing positive energy to every room I show up in can do wonders for team morale.
You’re always looking for volunteers to help with your mission. Who can volunteer and what can they expect?
We are one of the only organizations that accepts volunteers of all ages and abilities. We want people to feel like they are a part of our mission and that by the simple act of providing books to children, that we can transform our communities.
There are several different volunteer jobs that go into preparing the bags for distribution into schools - damage sorting, stickering, bagging. They’re all pretty easy and fun. Time goes by quickly and typically in a 90-minute session, we will sort through 7,000 books with a full team of 30 volunteers. Teams often turn it into a friendly competition to see who can sort the most books.
This is a wonderful opportunity for young people to make service a habit from an early age because our book sorting sessions happen so often. I believe that when young people are a part of something bigger than themselves it provides perspective and can even help with their mental wellness by helping to build compassion.
Anyone can also host their own book drive or virtual book drive. It’s a fun and easy way to earn service hours too.
In addition to Bernie’s Book Bank, you also authored 100 Things to Do in Milwaukee Before You Die. What are your favorite bucket list items for Milwaukee’s North Shore?
Definitely Audubon Nature Center! I also love to hike at Doctor’s Park and look for sea glass on the beach and then hit up Bayside Garden Center. Plants make everything better. And the water and woods are really soothing for my over-active brain.
Milwaukee Scavenger turns the city into a puzzle (I can attest to the fun - it was one of my son’s birthday presents!) What’s a favorite clue and the story it helps people discover?
I think so few people realize that Atwater beach is the site of a historic shipwreck. There is information about the Appomatix Shipwreck right near the maritime-themed playground and so few people really stop to read and appreciate what a major deal it was. I think a lot of people get stumped on that clue.
Lightning round:
Favorite North Shore Milwaukee spot for reading a book?
My living room couch, with a record on a fire crackling. (and a cup of coffee/tea in arm’s reach)
Most dog-eared book in your house growing up?
Anything by Roald Dahl or Shel Silverstein probably…. I did love the Boxcar Children too once I got into chapter books.
Go-to pit stop when you’re crisscrossing the counties?
The Milwaukee Athletic Club has been my home base for the last year as we don’t have a local office yet. The co-working lounge is great and always has a salad bar and fresh cappuccino. If I’m feeling motivated, I’ll go up to the gym or if I’m not, I’ll take a steam or sauna and enjoy the luxurious robes in the women’s locker room. There is always someone interesting to talk with and the rooftop restaurant is also a great spot for lunch with friends or dinner with the family. For me that integration of wellness-work-community all in one place is so restorative.
A children’s book you recommend to adults.
I love this book - A Little SPOT of Emotions. It really helped my children (and me!) identify strong emotions and how to deal with them - especially after the pandemic.
One “micro-volunteer” action someone could take this week to help Bernie’s.
Drop children’s books in new/like new condition at Town Bank in Mequon, Shorewood or Whitefish Bay. They always have a bin in their lobby collecting for us. We accept books for children ages 0-12, but can’t use reference/activity books or anything religious. More info here.
Sign up for our newsletter so you’re the first to hear about volunteering at the facility and our “VIP School Distributions” for the spring where we deliver books to children in classrooms. It’s joyful and heartwarming!
Anything else to add?
Our annual fundraiser “Booksgiving” is coming up Nov 19-20. It’s a Wizard of Oz themed, family-friendly event at the Ivy House. Come one, come all!
Some recent press:
Q+A with Jenna Renno of Bernie’s Book Bank on opening a new Glendale facility, boosting literacy across Milwaukee, and how families can volunteer and get involved.