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 60 million free and low cost books in thousands of communities.

The books we provide are all brand new, age- and language-appropriate. They are distributed to children in the hardest-to-reach communities nationwide; selected by the educators working most closely with them; and provided directly from over 90 major children's publishers.  More than 20,000 programs across the country receive books from First Book, including: soup kitchens and homeless shelters, local preschool and after-school programs, schools and clinics.

First Book reaches existing community programs through a carefully designed national network that encompasses local Advisory Boards, the First Book National Book Bank and the First Book Marketplace.

First Book reaches existing preschool and after-school programs through a carefully designed national network of local Advisory Boards. First Book Advisory Boards mobilize communities to supply those already at work with the tools they need to provide new books to the children they serve. All books distributed by First Book are brand new and are provided at no cost to the child.

First Book created the First Book National Book Bank — the first-ever centralized system that enables publishers to donate large quantities of new books and educational materials to the nonprofit sector for distribution to children from low-income families. The First Book National Book Bank converts a private sector problem for publishers — excess books — into an innovative solution that advances First Book's mission.

Because there are millions of children still waiting for help, in 2005 First Book opened this new channel for access to great books. The First Book Marketplace is an online bookstore providing deeply discounted books to programs serving disadvantaged children. The books are available at the lowest possible cost and new titles are constantly being added.

First Book was founded in 1992. The First Book model was developed to leverage the work of local heroes who reach children through existing literacy programs in a variety of settings, such as Head Start centers, libraries, soup kitchens, churches, housing projects, and afterschool initiatives. Working through this vast network of organizations, First Book plays a critical role in transforming the quality of preschool and after-school programs nationwide.

First Book's model is national in scope and local in impact. In our first year, First Book distributed approximately 12,000 books in three communities. Since that time, First Book has distributed more than 60 million books to children in thousands of communities nationwide.

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