By Brenda Dana
LILBURN, Ga. | The Lilburn Woman’s Club (LWC) is announcing its latest literacy initiative aimed at eliminating book deserts in Lilburn. By sponsoring the Gwinnett County Public School Bookmobile Program, the Lilburn club will provide over 8,000 students across eight Lilburn elementary schools with access to free brand-new, age-appropriate books, ensuring that no child is left without the tools to foster a love for reading. The Lilburn Woman’s Club is a member of the Georgia Federation of Women’s Clubs.
The schools in the bookmobile program include Lilburn, Arcado, Hopkins, R.D. Head, Minor, Mountain Park, Camp Creek and Knight elementary schools. The program began this year on January 15, 2025.
Addressing book deserts
A book desert refers to areas where access to quality books is severely limited. In Gwinnett County, many children lack even a single book at home, which significantly hinders literacy development. Studies show that children with access to books at home are 5.5 times more likely to read above their age level compared to peers who have fewer than 10 books. Alarmingly, many students cannot afford books at school fairs, further exacerbating the issue.
Why it matters
Providing personal books to children profoundly impacts their literacy and development. Research highlights that book ownership is tied to greater reading enjoyment and improved outcomes. Children who own books are six times more likely to read above their expected level. The urgency of this initiative is heightened by Georgia’s literacy ranking, which stands at 45th in the nation. LWC is taking action to address this challenge in the Lilburn area of Gwinnett County, one of the state’s largest and most diverse counties.
LWC’s literacy project
The Book Mobile will visit the eight elementary schools in Lilburn, providing students with books at no cost. Organized by reading level, children can select titles that match their skills and interests. Unlike traditional book fairs, which often require payment, this initiative ensures equitable access for all students without cost.
A legacy of literacy
This initiative builds on the LWC’s longstanding commitment to literacy, including its successful Dictionary Project, which annually provides dictionaries to all third graders in Lilburn public schools.
For more information about this initiative or to support the Lilburn Woman’s Club, visit
www.lilburnwomansclub.org, or contact Kathy Mattox, the current LWC president, at info@lilburnwomansclub.org.
The inspiration of the Georgia Federation of Women’s Club comes from St. Francis of Assisi, “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”
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