Our Work in the United States

In the United States, The Library Project works with schools and local nonprofit organizations to help more students develop strong reading habits and literacy skills. Classroom Libraries place high-quality, age-appropriate books directly where students learn, giving them regular opportunities to explore stories, discover new interests, and read independently.

Book Donations help schools and education programs strengthen existing collections, while our Literacy Programs create additional opportunities for students to practice reading, improve comprehension, and build confidence. Through Training & Support, we also work with educators and community partners to strengthen literacy instruction and make more effective use of books and reading activities.

The Library Project also provides Capacity Building for literacy-focused nonprofit organizations across the United States. Through free mentoring, practical tools, fundraising guidance, program development support, and other organizational resources, we help local organizations strengthen their programs and expand sustainable literacy opportunities for the students and communities they serve.

Literacy in the United States

The United States has a highly developed education system, but millions of students continue to struggle with reading. According to the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), only 31 percent of fourth-grade students performed at or above the NAEP Proficient level in reading, down from 33 percent in 2022 and 35 percent in 2019. At the same time, 40 percent of fourth graders performed below the NAEP Basic level, demonstrating substantial difficulty with the knowledge and skills measured by the national assessment.

Reading performance has also continued to decline. The average fourth-grade reading score fell between 2022 and 2024, with declines affecting students across nearly the entire performance distribution. Rural students were among the groups whose average reading scores declined, and nationally, only 30 percent of fourth-grade public-school students reached or exceeded NAEP Proficient in 2024. Across individual states and jurisdictions, proficiency ranged from just 20 percent to 48 percent.

Educational opportunity is not equal for every child. NAEP data continue to show significant differences in reading performance associated with socioeconomic circumstances, while students with disabilities and English learners can face additional barriers to developing strong literacy skills. These differences mean that access to appropriate books, effective literacy instruction, and additional opportunities to practice reading remain important even in communities with established school systems.

The Library Project responds by putting books directly into classrooms, strengthening school and community collections, supporting Literacy Programs, helping educators through Training & Support, and investing in local literacy organizations through Capacity Building. Together, these approaches help create more opportunities for students to read, learn, and become confident lifelong readers.