Bookleggers Library Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Bookleggers gives donated books to everyone through creative programs, mobile outreach, and Miamis first and only free bookstore.
- Income
- $330,540
- Spending
- $344,389
- Spent on programs
- 57%
- Reserves
- 9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 72%
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 50
- Highest pay
- $68,666, board chair and founding director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 73% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1557% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 25 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (4)
- $76,480 spent. Adventure-Leggers: Miamis only youth and comic book festival for kids. Adventure-Leggers is a yearly festival exploring creativity through comic books, literary adventure and interactive programming. The festival offers interactive experiences focused on hands-on informal family learning centered around STEAM activities as well as music, artist-led workshops, technology, creative-professional workshops and more. Adventure-Leggers aims to promote a lifelong love of reading while also introducing kids to creative pursuits that spark their curiosity.
- $66,777 spent. Libraries and Collections: The main program of Bookleggers Library is the free bookstore housed at the Bakehouse Art Complex open 5 days a week to the general public. The collection is entirely donation based and people, institutions and businesses drop off approximately 125 books per week. Approximately 25 people visit the shop per day and the Organization has distributed over 125,000 free books in the last 13 years.
- $28,970 spent. Digital Programs: Booklandia and Storytime are our flagship digital programs.
- $22,539 spent. Traveling Book Trailer: Launched at the end of 2023, the Traveling Book Trailer is fully equipped with custom-mobile friendly shelving and roll out book carts. It opens with ramps on both sides, allowing for smooth foot traffic, and ample space for visitors. It allows a pop-up bookshop at essentially any location throughout Miami-Dade County. It allows people to access books and cultural programming outdoors and in neighborhoods which may not have access to bookstores or libraries.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 2021.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.