Developing the joy of reading in elementary students is essential for fostering a lifelong love of learning, boosting academic success, expanding social and emotional growth, and flourishing curiosity, imagination and creativity. For Cleveland County students, reading skills can increase the literacy proficiency rate, close the generational gap, and create a positive foundation for success in life.United Way of Cleveland County is committed to strengthening achievement levels in our community by investing in education. While textbooks and other required in-school reading tools help students meet grade-level literacy goals, a love of learning often takes root by having access to enriching home libraries. Research shows that immersing children in book-oriented environments will benefit their educational achievement and their occupational standing later in life.The My Home Library Project has been specifically designed with intentionally chosen books that allow children to have a variety of genres and perspectives at their fingertips, creating a targeted and true home library that will build in stages as the children themselves grow. The six book sets shown below, for first and second graders, provide these children with FREE and QUICK ACCESS to books, allowing them to explore reading independently and at their own pace.