Did you know that reading skills are the greatest single predictor of future academic success (National Assessment of Educational Progress); yet, sixteen (16%) percent of the Omaha population are functionally illiterate. They can’t read well enough to fill out a job application, read a food label, or read to their children. (Literacy Center of the Midlands)

A Book of My Own is the Junior League of Omaha’s Literacy Project that works to get books into the homes of children that do not have books. On average, children in middle-income neighborhoods have approximately 13 books per individual child. In contrast, for low-income children, there is estimated to be 1 book for every 300 children. Our goal is that all children in the Omaha area have a book of their own. We have already given out more than 3000 books with the help of community partners such as schools, businesses and churches that have held book drives for new and gently-used books. We have partnered with agencies including Completely KIDS, Kids Can, Boys and Girls Club and Girls Inc. to distribute the books to the children who need them. Giving children books gives them the opportunity to see a whole new world and helps build their reading skills which contributes to their future success.

Junior League of Omaha's A Book of My Own Literacy Project
A Book of My Own Project Information
Thank you to our A Book of My Own Community Partners!
Thank you to our A Book of My Own Agency Partners!
Gently Used Information

JLO and Literacy Center Partner on Reach Out and Read
Reach Out and Read Project Information

Get Involved
How Can You Help?

Together we can make sure that every child in Omaha has a book of their own!