About Us

Brief History of The Great Book Giveaway

The Great Book Giveaway is an event that was originally begun by Harry Ostlund, Librarian at Brennan High School. During the 2020 Covid-19 shut down, Ostlund responded to the need for students to have books at their homes and decided to collect and distribute bags of gently used books to every child that attended the literacy event.

The response in Spring of 2021 was so overwhelming that unexpected traffic jams around Brennan HS alerted the San Antonio Police Department and a helicopter was dispatched to investigate!  In 2022, the need for a second location (Paul Taylor Field House) was determined to be a good solution to potential traffic problems.

Though Paul Taylor was a great place for distribution, it lacked the enthusiasm and community feel that students bring on their home campus.   ln 2023, Holmes and O'Connor High Schools were selected to expand the reach across the district, and student groups and their sponsors stepped up: providing two new distribution locations, in addition to Brennan High School,  with enthusiasm and excitement that only our young adults can bring to an event. 

The legacy of service to the greater community that the Brennan students have begun carries on. It is a reflection of the spirit of Northside: that of giving, caring, and meeting the needs of students everywhere.