Help Children Become Confident and Enthusiastic Readers

Access to books at home is a predictor of reading success, and since 2016 Book First has provided over 100,000 books to Sacramento first graders.

By Peter Coyl

Read more here . . .

4/18/2024

Make a Difference in a First Grader's Life on May 2!

The Friends of the Sacramento Public Library counts on your support on the Big Day of Giving to help us fund Book First, the Sacramento Public Library program that provides free books to first-graders most in need, and to support the children’s portion of the Summer Reading Challenge. These two programs help keep kids reading year-round and prevent the summer slide in reading skills.

Since 2016, over 100,000 books have been given to children most in need. Our goal for the 2043-25 school year is to provide 26,000 books to 13,000 students in 170 Sacramento schools through Book First, and to reach and support 15,000 youth readers through Summer Reading.

Your donation will pay for:

Two free books for each first grader in underserved Sacramento County schools. Often these are the only books the children can call their own.
An additional free book for Book First participants who visit their local libraries and get their library cards.
A visit to each participating classroom by the local youth services librarian and a Friend of the Library.
Book prizes for youth in the Summer Reading Challenge.

Donate now