SCDMV Book Drive to Support My First Library Initiative

January 16, 2024

The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) is again partnering with the Original Six (O6) Foundation to support its “My First Library” campaign. 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 January 16, 2024, to March 1, 2024, or purchase the requested books online for donation using the information below.

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 more than 30 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 SCDMV is excited to partner with the Original Six Foundation to support increased literacy rates across our state. Supporting programs like these build stronger foundations for our children, ensuring more successful outcome rates for our youth, families, and communities,” said Kevin Shwedo, executive director of the SCDMV.

“Any day that we can get books in the hands of South Carolina students is a good day,” said Kara Gormley Meador, executive director of the Original Six.  “Studies show students who do not read proficiently by third grade are four times more likely to leave high school without a diploma than proficient readers. Book drives like this one can help move the needle in the right direction,” 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.