Partners with Starbucks Corporation and Urban League of Philadelphia

NEW YORK, New York - November 21, 2005 - The Books for Kids Foundation today announced the opening of a Children's Library and Literacy Center in The Gillespie Area/Drexel (GAD) Beacon Center located in Philadelphia. The Library and Literacy Center was funded and built in conjunction with Starbucks Corporation and the Urban League of Philadelphia and will initially house 450 books on a variety of topics.

Friday's dedication ceremony was attended by such community leaders as Dr. William Lynch, Director of Drexel's School of Education; Rosita Youngblood, State Representative, Philadelphia County; Donna Reed Miller, City Councilwoman; and Michael Andrews, Office of Specialized Services, School District of Philadelphia.

The GAD Beacon Center is a full-service community center that provides leadership skills and character development through a positive learning environment and academic, educational and social enrichment experiences for children, adults, families and the community. Activities offered by the Center include: after-school programs, summer camp, social work and family counseling and evening workshops for adults on such topics as parenting, computer training, financial planning and nutrition.

"The addition of a library and literacy center will help expand the Center's offerings and provide additional opportunities for the community's members. We are proud to be joining forces with such a positive organization," said Trish Belfatto, Executive Director of the Books for Kids Foundation.

"This latest library is our first in Philadelphia, and demonstrates the Books for Kids Foundation's desire to grow its reach beyond the tri-state area. With the help and support of such generous corporate sponsors as the Starbucks Corporation, we are hopeful we will be able to facilitate the opening of many more libraries throughout the Northeast and beyond," added Belfatto.

ABOUT BOOKS FOR KIDS
The Books for Kids Foundation (http://www.booksforkidsfoundation.org) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose mission is to promote literacy among all children with special emphasis on children in low income areas. Books for Kids raises money so that it can donate books, create children's libraries in underserved locations, and participate in reading initiatives with community based organizations.
The Books for Kids Foundation has provided children with more than 5 million books with an estimated retail value of $45 million, built 49 libraries and distributed reading materials through approximately 280 agencies in the New York area and other communities served by Books for Kids chapters.
In addition to assisting recognized learning programs, such as Head Start, the Books for Kids Foundation seeks to create opportunities for children and parents in underserved or overlooked locations. Books for Kids libraries are being established in daycare, after-school and teen parenting programs, detention and correctional facilities, homeless shelters, and children's healthcare centers.