Customers Invited to Help Young Students Through “My First Library” Book Drive

February 04, 2025

The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) is partnering with the Original Six (O6) Foundation for the “My First Library” campaign again in 2025. Through “My First Library,” kindergarten students in the most underserved communities of the state can choose 10 new, grade-level, summer reading books at an end-of-the-school-year book fair.

Patrons can conveniently make donations of new, early-reader books in collection boxes at all SCDMV branch offices in every county of the state from Feb. 3 to March 14, or purchase the requested books online for donation.

Most summer reading programs begin in 1st grade, while “My First Library” starts the summer before. Starting early helps bridge the roughly 85% gap for reading achievement between lower-income students and their middle and upper-income peers.  

The new, early-reader book donations become the building blocks of at-home libraries for kindergarten students in low-income living situations. The Original Six Foundation works with public schools to host book fairs just in time for summer break. All participating kindergartners of the “My First Library” initiative can choose 10 free books of various genres from the generous donations made by South Carolina residents.

“The Original Six Foundation and the SCDMV have formed a great partnership,” said Kevin Shwedo, executive director of the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. “We’re bringing the community together for a great result: books delivered to young readers before the summer break.”

“We are incredibly grateful for this partnership,” said Kara Gormley Meador, executive director of the Original Six. Over the last two years, the SCDMV My First Library Book Drive has collected thousands of books for children in at-risk communities. “Because of their efforts, the Original Six is increasing the number of schools served in 2025 to over 40,” Gormley Meador said.
 
The Original Six Foundation was founded in 2011 with a mission focused on literacy initiatives in rural and underserved areas of the state. It serves as a funding mechanism to assist South Carolina’s neediest communities in providing education and learning opportunities to schools and students challenged by economic shortfalls. 

Visit www.originalsixfoundation.org for more information. Click here or scan the QR code at the SCDMV for a list of books requested by schools for their students. Drop off the new, early-reader books at any of the 66 SCDMV locations or make donations online to purchase books directly from the wish list.