First Book-New Hanover County, NC

About Us

First Book provides new books to children in need, addressing one of the most important factors affecting literacy – access to books. An innovative leader in social enterprise, First Book has distributed more than 65 million free and low-cost books to disadvantaged children and the programs that serve them.

Since the number of books in the home significantly correlates with children's reading scores, First Book addresses this particular facet of the literacy challenge. First Book provides new books for these children to keep. Over the course of several months they build up their own home library, age-appropriate books in the home also encourage family members to read together.

Our local Advisory Board, First Book-New Hanover County, was formed in August 2006. Why is this important?  Local Advisory Boards are the gateway for all kinds of programs that serve disadvantaged families in our area.  Through us they learn about First Book resources and have local encouragement and oversight in their use of First Book grants.  During 2006-2008 we distributed over $7000 in book grants.  This translates to about 2800 new books.  Our Board is actively recruiting volunteers that want to help meet the mission for First Book and to raise funds to support the purchase of new books.