Reading is Power International

Reading is Power International helps children and families build a lifelong love of reading by providing bilingual home libraries locally and Spanish-language school libraries to underserved communities internationally.

Reading is Power International is a Columbia, South Carolina-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2000 with a simple belief: children are more likely to become strong readers when they have books of their own and families are supported in making reading part of everyday life. We are an all-volunteer organization, which allows us to keep our focus on putting resources directly into the hands of children and families.

Locally, we primarily serve Spanish-speaking families with young children, especially those preparing to enter school. We provide families with home libraries of high-quality bilingual books that parents and children can enjoy together. Our goal is not simply to give children books, but to help families create a home environment where reading, language development, and learning are encouraged from an early age.

An important part of our work is involving students from local schools in creating these home libraries as service projects. Students help sort, prepare, and assemble the books that will go to each family. We want the experience to benefit both the families receiving the books and the young people preparing them. It gives students a hands-on opportunity to learn about generosity, understand the needs of others, and see that even a simple act of service can make a meaningful difference in someone else's life.

Internationally, we also provide collections of Spanish-language books to small, often under-resourced schools where access to children's books may be very limited. Whether we are creating a home library in South Carolina or a school library internationally, our work is guided by generosity, dignity, collaboration, and respect for the communities we serve. We depend on partnerships with schools, libraries, community organizations, volunteers, and supporters who share our belief that books can open doors for children. We welcome others to join us in helping more children and families discover the lifelong power of reading.