First Books

Books stir the senses, inspire the imagination, and spark a love of reading that can last a lifetime. Access to books is essential to reading development, yet many children from low-income families have no books at home or in the childcare centers they attend. First Books gives children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books, using generous donations from children’s book publishers, service donors, and volunteers. First Book reaches out to programs in every corner of the country, serving national and local nonprofit organizations, to reach the broadest spectrum of children in need. The Library Foundation is proud to be a financial sponsor for First Books in support of its program to reach out to children in Prince William County.

Georgetown South Community & Child Development Center, Manassas

In May 2004, the Library Foundation presented a $1,000 grant to the Georgetown South Community and Child Development Center, for a Lend and Return Center and to conduct story hours in the newly completed Community Center Lobby. The Center is an innovative collaboration, intended as a positive step towards building a safe community and establishing a sense of wellbeing in an otherwise turbulent and crime-sensitive area. The Center accommodates service-delivery and community needs, by providing space for community meetings, family gatherings and a state-of-the-art child development center for the most vulnerable children.