For families in Cypress Point, a visit to the local bookstore can now help another child begin building a library of their own.

Books-A-Million in Cypress is hosting a community book drive benefiting Barkley’s Bookshelf, a local nonprofit that provides free books to children throughout Cypress, Cy-Fair and Northwest Houston. The drive began July 19 and continues through Aug. 16 at the Books-A-Million store in Fairfield Town Center, located at 28640 Highway 290 in Cypress.

Customers may purchase and donate one of the organization’s most-needed children’s titles from an in-store display or select a personal favorite they believe could inspire a young reader.

The partnership offers Cypress Point residents a practical way to support children’s literacy close to home while helping Barkley’s Bookshelf continue its mission of enriching children’s love of reading through books they can call their own.

How to Donate Books at Books-A-Million in Cypress

Residents may participate by visiting the Fairfield Town Center Books-A-Million during regular store hours through Sunday, Aug. 16.

Inside the store, shoppers can choose from books identified by Barkley’s Bookshelf as high-priority needs. They may also purchase another age-appropriate title they would like to contribute.

The books collected will support Barkley’s Bookshelf programs serving children who may have limited access to reading materials at home. The Cypress nonprofit works from a guiding vision that every child can become both a reader and a book owner.

For families selecting a title together, the drive can also become a simple lesson in giving. A child choosing a beloved story for another young reader may better understand that community service can begin with something as familiar as sharing a good book.

Barkley’s Bookshelf Expands Book Ownership Across Cypress and Northwest Houston

Founded in Cypress in 2022, Barkley’s Bookshelf is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit built around the idea that access to books can strengthen literacy, confidence and a child’s connection to reading.

During its first four years, the organization distributed more than 25,000 free books and helped more than 13,200 children become book owners across Cypress, Cy-Fair and surrounding Northwest Houston communities.

“Because of the generosity and support of the community, Barkley’s Bookshelf has expanded our distribution models and reached more students every year,” founder Brenda Polivka said during the organization’s fourth-anniversary celebration. “On behalf of the team at Barkley’s Bookshelf, thank you for your belief in our work. We continue towards our Vision: Every child is a reader, and every child is a book owner.”

Polivka, a Texas A&M University journalism graduate with a Master of Science in Nonprofit Administration from LSU-Shreveport, founded the organization after more than 25 years of nonprofit leadership in the Greater Houston area.

Barkley’s Bookshelf now works with schools and community organizations to bring books directly to children rather than requiring families to find or travel to literacy resources.

Its programs include free book fairs at Title I schools, book bundles distributed through nonprofit partners, stocked bookshelves at community service organizations and a summer reading initiative that mails participating students five books, a tote bag and a bookmark.

Community partners have included Cy-Hope’s Hope Centers, Boys & Girls Country, Cy-Fair Helping Hands, Gracewood and the PTSD Foundation of America’s Camp Hope.

Why Local Book Donations Matter

For Barkley’s Bookshelf, the goal is not simply to allow a child to borrow a book. The organization focuses on ownership, giving young readers the opportunity to choose titles and keep them permanently.

That distinction matters for children who may not have many books at home. A personal collection allows a child to return to favorite stories, practice reading independently and experience the pride of having a bookshelf that belongs to them.

In 2025 alone, Barkley’s Bookshelf distributed 11,076 books to 6,613 students in prekindergarten through 12th grade. Volunteers contributed 806 service hours by sorting books, preparing bundles, organizing book fairs and assisting with distributions.

Private and corporate donations accounted for approximately 58 percent of the nonprofit’s funding, while grants provided the remaining 42 percent. Barkley’s Bookshelf has also received a Platinum transparency badge from Candid for its nonprofit reporting and accountability practices.

The Books-A-Million book drive arrives as the nonprofit continues expanding its reach and responding to literacy needs in a rapidly growing part of Northwest Harris County.

Books-A-Million Brings Community Programming to Fairfield Town Center

The Fairfield Town Center Books-A-Million opened in November 2025, giving residents in Cypress, Fairfield, Bridgeland, Dunham Pointe, Cypress Point, Hockley and nearby communities convenient access to a full-service bookstore along the U.S. 290 corridor.

“The Fairfield Town Center is situated snugly at the intersection of major highways, providing the only bookstore in the local vicinity,” Clarence Antill, Books-A-Million’s Texas and Louisiana district manager, said ahead of the store’s grand opening. “The easy access appeals to those who crave that local charm and convenience. Books-A-Million has what other stores lack – expansive sections that encompass a wide genre of books and interests. We are excited for our local readers to experience the warmth and friendliness that comes with shopping at our location.”

The approximately 15,000-square-foot store carries children’s books, fiction, romance, Christian literature and devotionals, manga and anime titles, BookTok recommendations, gifts and discounted books.

“Books-A-Million is constantly growing and expanding the product that we carry,” Antill said. “We have a variety of items, from an expansive Faithpoint shop to a constantly updated Booktok shop. We even have an entire area dedicated to those searching for a deal! We constantly update our social media when new product arrives so that our customers can stay in-the-know.”

Founded in Florence, Alabama, in 1917, Books-A-Million has grown to more than 220 stores nationwide. Its Cypress location has also served as a gathering place for family activities and charitable efforts, including a previous holiday book and toy drive benefiting Cy-Fair Helping Hands.

The Barkley’s Bookshelf campaign continues that emphasis on connecting a national retailer with organizations serving families in the surrounding community.

What Cypress Point Residents Need to Know

The Barkley’s Bookshelf book drive runs through Aug. 16 at Books-A-Million, 28640 Highway 290 in Fairfield Town Center.

Residents may donate by purchasing a book from the nonprofit’s in-store list of most-needed titles or by selecting another children’s book from the store. Donations collected during the campaign will help support literacy programs benefiting young readers in Cypress, Cy-Fair and Northwest Houston.

For Cypress Point families, it is an opportunity to turn an everyday shopping trip into something lasting. One donated picture book, chapter book or young-adult novel could become the first book a child proudly calls their own—or the story that helps them begin seeing themselves as a reader.

Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more updates on community service opportunities, nonprofit programs and family events serving Cypress Point, Cypress and Northwest Houston.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.