McIntyre’s Books: A Champion for Young Readers
Heather Bochicco, Chatham Reads program specialist, and Johanna Albrecht, McIntyre’s children’s buyer, pose with McIntyre’s March Madness Book Drive Champion Certificate
If you live in Chatham County and love books, then you likely know about McIntyre’s Books, the beloved independent bookstore in Fearrington Village. Maybe you’ve taken your children to storytime with Johanna Banana, attended an author event, or browsed the staff picks for a new book to read. With a thoughtfully curated selection of books—especially an outstanding children’s section—McIntyre’s is a go-to destination for readers of all ages.
But did you know McIntyre's also plays an important role in helping local children build home libraries?
A longtime partner of Chatham Reads, a literacy initiative of the Chatham Education Foundation (CEF) and Chatham County Schools, McIntyre’s maintains a Chatham Reads wishlist of children’s books and allows customers to purchase brand-new books from the list at a 20% discount. These books are then distributed to students through CEF’s literacy initiatives such as Books on Break, which provides free book fairs at Chatham County Schools' rural and Title I schools.
McIntyre’s also generously donates hundreds of advanced reader copies of children’s titles to Chatham Reads. And they hold book drives for Chatham Reads, serving as one of Chatham Reads’ Children’s Book Donation Box locations, making it easy for patrons to pass along gently used children’s books in the store’s big white collection bin.
“Our partnership with McIntyre’s came together in a wonderfully serendipitous way in early 2024,” said Kathy Havens, program manager for Chatham Reads. “They were already a valued community partner through our annual book drives, and when I approached Keebe Fitch about creating a wishlist for customers to purchase books for Chatham Reads, the response was immediate and enthusiastic. Keebe and Johanna embraced the vision from the start, and together we've built a partnership that continues to grow and thrive.”
It's a true win-win for the community: families support a beloved independent bookstore, McIntyre's helps advance local literacy, and children throughout Chatham County receive books to build their home libraries.
This spring, McIntyre's participated in the Chatham Reads' March Book Madness Book Drive, a friendly competition among local businesses to see which location could collect the most donated books. Community members responded enthusiastically, donating a total of 928 books during the drive. When the final buzzer sounded, McIntyre's Books claimed the championship title with 451 books collected!
“Collaborating with Chatham Reads gives us a chance to stay involved with our community and give back,” said Johanna Albrecht, children's buyer at McIntyre's Books. “I love the variety of projects Chatham Reads supports and finding new ways to help—whether it's keeping our wishlist updated for seasonal topics and special events, connecting customers with volunteer opportunities, or even winning a book drive championship! It is vital for children to have books of their own, and when customers purchase books from our wishlist, they're helping young readers build home libraries and discover new favorite stories.”
While the March Book Madness competition has ended, the need for books continues year-round. Besides McIntyre’s, there are numerous Children's Book Donation Box locations across Chatham County, making it easy for families to pass along gently used children's books as they run errands.
Have an appointment at Avance Primary Care? Drop off books there. Taking your child to Chatham Pediatric Dentistry? They have a donation box. Picking up a prescription—or ice cream—at 501 Pharmacy? Yep, they have one too.
Once collected, Chatham Reads redistributes, on average, 800 books a month (hundreds more during the summer months!) to local children through schools, community organizations, CORA pantries, summer feeding sites, Little Free Libraries, and literacy programs. The goal is simple: make sure every child in Chatham County has access to books of their own.
Every donated book is sorted by volunteers and thoughtfully matched with children and families throughout Chatham County. From babies receiving their first board books to elementary students discovering a new favorite series, donated books help build home libraries and foster a lifelong love of reading. Research—and experience!—tell us that having a variety of high-interest books at home plays an important role in children's literacy development.
So the next time you're heading to McIntyre’s or running other errands, be sure to drop off your gently used children’s books in a Chatham Reads donation box. You may be finished with the story, but for another child, the adventure is just beginning.
To learn more about Chatham Reads, find donation box locations, or purchase books from the Chatham Reads wish list, visit chathameducationfoundation.org/chathamreads.
