The Book Ecosystem Initiative in Ghana is well underway. Our pilot project in Ghana will provide books for children ages 4-8 across 10 sites: 4 healthcare centers and 6 schools.

Providing these books for Ghanaian children will help them build early literacy skills and develop a lasting enjoyment of reading. Shared reading with these books will bring children, parents, siblings, caregivers, and teachers together–strengthening families and communities through books.

The power of early literacy and these books heading to Ghana means that children will have a strong foundation for future learning because learning to read now helps children later transition into readers who are learners. As the children become competent and confident readers, this book initiative can help them by supporting further development not only in literacy, but also vocabulary, numeracy, as well as school engagement and achievement so that they are more likely to complete high school. Through this initiative, 100,000 books will reach thousands of Ghanaian children and help strengthen connections among their families, schools, healthcare centers, and communities.

We are grateful to the partners, volunteers, donors, and supporters helping make this work possible:

San Jose State University’s School of Information

Books for Africa

Little Free Library

Tekchills Foundation

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#LiteracyForAll

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#GlobalEducation

#BooksChangeLives

How can artificial intelligence help communities create stories that reflect their own experiences, cultures, and identities?

That question was at the center of the Nebraska Library Commission’s recent NCompass Live webinar, Pretty Sweet Tech: Using AI to Share Community Stories. The September 30 session brought together library professionals and San José State University students to explore how AI story-generation tools—including Nookly—can support more inclusive and community-centered storytelling.

The webinar grew out of a shared concern: many children and families still struggle to find stories that reflect their communities and lived experiences. The presenters discussed how AI tools might help address this gap by making it easier for people to create personalized stories featuring local voices, settings, traditions, and perspectives.

The session also examined the opportunities and challenges involved in using AI for storytelling. Presenters explored how AI may affect publishing, creative work, employment, authorship, and the role of human imagination. They emphasized that AI-generated stories should be approached thoughtfully, with attention to representation, cultural authenticity, transparency, copyright, and ethical use.

A major focus of the discussion was how librarians and community organizations can introduce AI tools responsibly. Rather than treating AI as a replacement for writers, educators, or librarians, the webinar presented it as a tool that can support creativity, encourage participation, and help communities see themselves in the stories being created.

The session highlighted the Nebraska Library Commission’s collaboration with a group of San José State University students, who examined how effectively AI could be used to create children’s stories. The project also considered how librarians and community members might receive practical guidance when experimenting with emerging technologies.

As part of the webinar, attendees were introduced to resources designed to support continued learning, including Quick Start and Facilitator Guides. These materials can help libraries, educators, and community groups begin conversations about AI storytelling and explore the tools in accessible, purposeful ways.

The Nookly Global Book Ecosystems team was represented by J. Erin Reynolds, Sarah Borgolini, Chandni Rathod, Madison Henson, and Anna Feng. Their participation reflects Nookly’s broader commitment to helping libraries and communities use technology to expand access to meaningful, representative stories.

The recording is now available for anyone interested in learning more about AI, community storytelling, and the future of inclusive children’s literature.

Watch the webinar

On September 23, 2026, Edel Quin Academy in Kenya hosted its first Soma Safari Free Book Fair on the school field. Each child chose 10 books to take home and keep, about 2,700 books in total, helping them build their own home libraries. The remaining books, roughly 2,300, will stock the school's weekly borrowing supply and be shared with two nearby sister schools, Amani Primary and Star of Hope Primary. Soma Safari is a partnership between the Kenya National Library Service, Books For Africa, and San José State University's Global Book Ecosystems team, working toward 100 books at home for every child by third grade.

NOVATO, Calif. — New Media Learning (NML) has been named a 2026 Library of Congress Literacy Awards Successful Practices Honoree for its Reading Nation Waterfall and Book Ecosystems initiative, recognizing its innovative approach to creating sustainable cultures of reading in Native American and other underserved communities.

The Library of Congress Literacy Awards Program recognizes organizations in the United States and around the world that demonstrate exemplary, innovative, sustainable, and replicable strategies for advancing literacy and reading. Established in 2013, the program has recognized more than 250 organizations in 42 countries and awarded more than $4.8 million with support from philanthropist David M. Rubenstein and the Kislak Family Foundation.

Reading Nation Waterfall began with a simple question: What prevents children and families from developing lasting relationships with books and libraries? Early research identified three persistent barriers—convenient access, cost, and cultural relevance. The initiative responds by creating a “waterfall” of books around children: placing books in the places they already live, learn, and gather while connecting families, schools, early childhood programs, libraries, and community partners into a coordinated Book Ecosystem.

Rather than treating book distribution as a one-time event, the model helps children build personal home libraries over time while strengthening the institutions and relationships that sustain reading within a community. Communities help select books, shape programming, and determine how the model reflects their own cultures, languages, identities, and priorities.

“We are deeply honored that the Library of Congress has recognized Reading Nation Waterfall and our Book Ecosystem model,” said Dr. Anthony Chow, CEO of New Media Learning and Founder and Project Director of Reading Nation Waterfall and Book Ecosystems. “Our goal has never been simply to give children books. It is to surround every child with a sustainable ecosystem of books, libraries, families, schools, and community partners so that reading becomes part of everyday life. This recognition

belongs to the Tribal communities, librarians, educators, families, students, and partners who built this model with us.”

From Five Tribal Communities to a Replicable Book Ecosystem Reading Nation Waterfall was implemented with five Tribal communities: the Yurok Tribe in California, Northern Cheyenne Tribe in Montana, Kewa Pueblo (Santo Domingo Pueblo) in New Mexico, Lumbee Tribe in North Carolina, and Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina. The initiative engaged 2,133 participants across the five communities and distributed more than 53,000 books.

Children recorded 18,826 books read, approximately 2,000 children received home book collections, and communities established book-access points in schools, libraries, and neighborhoods. Evaluation findings also documented increased library use, stronger family reading engagement, and measurable literacy gains at participating sites.

Students have also been pivotal to the initiative’s success. Through coursework and applied learning, San Jose State University School of Information students earning course credit have contributed directly to implementation, evaluation, community engagement, and the continued development of the Book Ecosystems model. Their participation demonstrates how experiential education can expand nonprofit capacity while preparing the next generation of library and information professionals to lead community-centered literacy work.

Just as importantly, the project was designed for sustainability. At least four of the five original Tribal partner communities have integrated elements of the model into ongoing practice, supporting continued book access and literacy engagement through existing school and library resources.

The approach is now evolving into a broader Book Ecosystems model designed for replication in additional communities. The model has already expanded or begun expanding through additional Tribal partnerships and internationally, demonstrating how locally led literacy ecosystems can be adapted across different cultural, educational, and governmental settings.

What Our Tribal Partners Say

The impact of Reading Nation Waterfall is perhaps best expressed by the Tribal partners who helped shape, implement, and sustain the work.

“What sets Reading Nation Waterfall apart is its commitment to community-centered design. Rather than expecting families to come to libraries that may feel distant or inaccessible, the project brings books directly into the spaces where children already live, learn, and gather.” — Chi Shipman, Qualla Boundary Public Library, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

“Reading Nation Waterfall approaches this work with humility, collaboration, and a deep respect for tribal sovereignty and cultural knowledge. Their efforts extend beyond simple book distribution: they build lasting systems, strengthen library infrastructure, and cultivate community ownership of literacy.”

— Jim McQuillen, PPS, MFT, Deputy Executive Director, Yurok Tribe

Both partners emphasized that the model’s value extends beyond distributing books: it strengthens family engagement, culturally relevant reading, library relationships, and community ownership so that literacy efforts can continue beyond the initial grant period.

Building a Culture of Reading That Lasts

At the heart of the model is the belief that literacy flourishes when children have books they can call their own, see themselves and their communities represented in what they read, encounter books wherever they go, and grow up surrounded by adults and institutions that value reading.

Rather than creating another stand-alone literacy program, NML works with communities to connect existing assets—early childhood programs, elementary schools, libraries, families, and community organizations—into a sustainable system of book access and reading engagement.

The Library of Congress will convene the 2026 Literacy Awards winners and honorees for a symposium and recognition event at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., on November 5, 2026. Dr. Anthony Chow, CEO of New Media Learning, former Director and Full Professor at the San Jose State University School of Information, and Founder and Project Director of Reading Nation Waterfall and Book Ecosystems, will attend the event on behalf of NML and the initiative.

About New Media Learning

New Media Learning (NML) is a nonprofit organization based in Novato, California, founded by John MacLeod and Winn MacLeod and led by Dr. Anthony Chow, CEO. NML develops innovative, sustainable approaches to literacy, learning, technology, and community engagement.

Through Reading Nation Waterfall and the expanding Book Ecosystems model, NML works with libraries, schools, families, community organizations, and local and international partners to address three fundamental barriers to reading: convenient access, cost, and cultural relevance.

NML’s Book Ecosystem approach creates a sustained “waterfall” of books around children—placing books where children live, learn, and gather; helping them build personal home libraries over time; and connecting families, schools, libraries, and community partners around a shared culture of reading.

Media Contact

Dr. Anthony Chow | CEO, New Media Learning | anthony.chow@newmedialearning.org