A few years ago a First Book Advisory Board was founded on campus, but student interest in the organization has dropped and activities have faltered. Now ETSU Volunteer Services is trying to revive the program.
First Book, a national organization created in the hope of ending illiteracy, was founded in 1992. It partners with local programs in various communities like Head Start centers, libraries, churches, volunteer organizations and after school programs to help identify children with limited or no access to books. The organization establishes local Advisory Boards to serve in their communities.
Nationally in its first year, First Book provided over 10,000 books into three different communities. Since then, First Book has given away more that 50 million books to children in over 1,300 communities across the nation.
First Book provides age-appropriate books to children up until the age of 18.
Recipients are indentified by the local advisory boards. The ETSU Advisory Board is responsible for planning events to raise money for the program, identifying programs with a need for age appropriate books, and raising literacy awareness.
There are five additional Advisory Boards in Tennessee. Last year, the Greater Kingsport Advisory Board was able to serve over 800 children by donating nearly $20,000 worth of books.
“Everybody has a first book story. You can see their face light up when they share it. Part of the goal of First Book is to give every child the opportunity to have a memory like that,” said Joy Fulkerson, advisor to the ETSU First Book Advisory Board.
John Stevens, a freshman broadcasting major, proves the point as he recalls his first book.
“It was just a bedtime story called ‘Goodnight Moon,’ but it added to my childhood. I enjoyed it; and I still enjoy reading,” he said.
Jacob McDaniel, a senior engineering technology major, has always enjoyed reading too.
“My dad worked for a printing company, so I always had access to books. My favorite was Goblins in the Castle,” said McDaniel.
About 61 percent of low-income families do not have books for their children, according to a Literacy Site report, and 80 percent of the child care centers serving low income families do not have age-appropriate books.
A U.S. Department of Education study of the First Book program found that more than half the children who received books had an increase in their interest in reading. The interest tripled for the older recipients, going from 23 percent interest in reading to 61 percent.
“I would like to see more students get involved in our Advisory Board,” said Fulkerson. “We need more volunteers to help the ETSU program develop from the ground up.”
A large part of the success of First Book is the organization’s financial efficiency.
The official First Book Web site, www.firstbook.org, reports that the organization spends less than 2 percent of its funds on management and fundraising expenses. It also reports that for every dollar donated, First Book is able to donate $10 worth of books to needy programs and children.

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