This March, BookSpring brought on a new leadership team member to our small but powerful team. Joy Diaz, Associate Director, comes with a wealth of experience in education, media, and storytelling. Her passion for books and amplifying early literacy is undeniable, and we at BookSpring cannot be more excited for ...

Joy Diaz is an award-winning journalist, radio producer, public speaker, educator, and bilingual storyteller with a deep love for books. Diaz has a degree in Journalism from Universidad de Cuautitlán Izcalli in Mexico City. And a degree in Education from Lynchburg College. In 2005 Diaz joined Austin’s NPR station, KUT 90.5 FM where ...

Julio Moreno is the Publications Coordinator at BookSpring. As an illustrator and graphic designer, Julio brings his prior experience working with picture books to BookSpring through the Family Literacy Network to develop family content through books and content. Originally from Brownsville, Texas, Julio moved to Austin, where he obtained his ...

Emily is the Development and Communications Coordinator at BookSpring. After studying Environmental Sustainability in college, she has worked for a variety of non-profits as well as becoming a wedding florist. Reading was one of her main hobbies growing up, and she's excited to once again work for a non-profit that ...

What is your job title at BookSpring and what does it mean to you? My role as an Administrative Assistant is to act as support for the Development and Finance departments as well as our Board of Directors. The nature of my role is to be flexible with the growing ...

What is your job title at BookSpring and what does it mean to you? I am the Logistics Manager which means I help the organization run efficiently through oversight of processing systems. I help conduct our annual inventory, lead volunteering shifts, distribute books to community partners, and work with distributors ...

by Dr. Emily Ball Cicchini, Executive Director As we kick off this new year, our 49th of continuous operation, the challenge of communication across the many members of BookSpring remains.  BookSpring is both grassroots and established, local and digital, and volunteer and professional.  How do we manage all the different ...

What is your job at BookSpring? I’m the Accounting Manager, so I handle the financial books and assist with fundraising and donor relations and data. What do you like about your job at BookSpring? When I first applied at BookSpring, I was fresh out of college and trying to figure ...

What is your job at BookSpring? I’m BookSpring’s Operations Manager. That means I have a uniquely diversified role. I manage all of our operations from onboarding new staff, to coordinating our university work studies and AmeriCorps programs, to the maintenance and care of our brand-new facility! What do you like ...

Amidst a great amount of change and uncertainty throughout the current public health crisis, we’d like to shine a spotlight on one of our partners who has gone above and beyond to serve and meet the immediate needs of Texans: H-E-B. Last year, BookSpring and H-E-B partnered together to bring ...

We are celebrating Emily Ball Cicchini's five-year anniversary at BookSpring! She joined BookSpring in February 2015 and is proud of all that we, as a board, staff, partners, and volunteers, have accomplished together. In Emily’s words, “…this organization is truly a collaborative labor of love for hundreds of very committed ...

by Emily Ball Cicchini, Executive Director This coming "hindsite is 20/20" year promises to be landmark one for BookSpring and for all the partners and families with children we serve. Wouldn't it be great if we could know now what we'll know in the future? Well, we can't! The best ...

Dobie Pre-Kindergarten Librarian Alexia Haywood, in front of her newest bulletin board, holding two of her favorite books. By: Kara Hooper/ Guest Blogger  “Oh, I am so glad that you are here,” said Dobie Pre-Kindergarten Center librarian Alexia Haywood in a chipper, enthusiastic voice. “I can’t wait to get started ...

The giving season kicked off with Book People featuring BookSpring in its annual Giving Guide. This year they are featuring organizations whose missions they connected to deeply and others they have worked with to make Austin an incredible place to live. Book People is hosting give-back days throughout the month ...

With the 20 Books by 2020 initiative under way, the need for books to distribute through our programs with healthcare (Rx), education (Ed), and community (Go) partners. It is these partnerships that allow us to reach children and families in need across Central Texas. Two of our greatest supporters in ...

“The heart of a volunteer is not measured in size, but by the depth of the commitment to make a difference in the lives of others.” – Deann Hollis Meet Kara Hooper, who began her volunteer work with BookSpring in July 2018. Kara is an educator currently on sabbatical and ...

Jill Gonzalez receives Storybook Hero Award from Emily Ball Cicchini (Executive Director), Drew Scherz (Board President), at Austin Taco Project, Austin Hilton, Aug 29 2018  Today is a bittersweet day at BookSpring as we say goodbye to one of our long-time staff members, Jill Gonzalez. Jill is embarking on a ...

As another school year ends so does the service of some outstanding board members. These individuals are deeply committed to sharing their love of reading with Central Texas. Please join us in offering a heartfelt thank you to Beth, Jan, and Jerry for their years of service! Though we are ...

BookSpring is a very special place to be. Our mission and vision are tied to the success of children and families and their learning to love books and reading. We can attribute many of our daily successes to the amazing skills and talents of our staff. Today we are saying ...

BookSpring's Clinics & Health Partner Manager Cynthia Ivey was elected as Vice President of Community Partnerships of The Community Health Champions Alumni Leadership Committee for 2017. Community Health Champions is an initiative by Central Health to bring together diverse and informed community members from across Travis County to learn about, discuss, ...