Books4Cause

Books4Cause at 2933 N Milwaukee is a shining example of how to put our vacant storefronts to a higher use. Books4Cause is a free neighborhood library founded by Yosef Lifchitz, a single father of 5, and his daughter Mayana. They aim to be "the Starbucks of free libraries" with free libraries in unused storefronts in neighborhoods all over Chicago.

Books4Cause sends book donations to 110 libraries in Africa instead of into landfills. This is especially important now that public libraries aren’t accepting donations during Covid. You can give or take books Monday thru Friday 10-3 at 2933 N Milwaukee. They practice strict Covid safety protocols and already have already been discovered by scores of neighborhood children and their parents who are becoming regular visitors.

Left to right: The youngest daughter, Chana, makes the signs and the artwork on the mirrors of this former yoga studio; Molly the librarian; Books4Cause exterior; Yosef Lifchitz being interviewed by Channel 5 Nightly News August 21, 2020.