Unlocking summer learning: Collaborative grant boosts literacy across metro Atlanta

Each year, as classrooms empty and the school bell falls silent, our public libraries spring to life with energy, discovery, and imagination. For children and teens across metro Atlanta, summer reading programs at DeKalb County Public Library, Gwinnett County Public Library, and Fulton County Library System offer more than just books – they offer opportunity.

Research from the Brookings Institution shows that students can lose up to a month of academic progress during the summer. For lower-income students, this “summer slide” can mean falling two full grade levels behind their peers over time. Library summer reading programs have been proven to prevent learning loss and produce academic gains. 

Across our three library systems, the numbers speak volumes. In 2024:

• 25,000+ children and teens participated in summer reading programs.
• Over 6 million minutes of reading were logged.
• More than 7,000 programs were hosted, including author talks, storytimes, reading clubs, art workshops, tech and genealogy camps, and more.

The DeKalb Library Foundation, Gwinnett County Public Library Foundation, and Atlanta-Fulton Public Library Foundation recently received a grant from Sartain Lanier Family Foundation to deepen and expand this impact. This $45,000 collaborative grant will support summer literacy initiatives across all three counties – touching most of metro Atlanta!

These libraries serve more than 1.5 million cardholders and provide vital programming that goes far beyond reading. From job-seeking assistance and tech access to afterschool tutoring and creative exploration, they offer equitable resources to every child and family—regardless of income, zip code, or background.

“All children deserve the chance to fall in love with reading and to see themselves in stories,” said Pat Lummus, executive director of the Sartain Lanier Family Foundation. “Public libraries help make that possible. This summer, libraries across metro Atlanta are coming together to offer creative, engaging programs for children and families. We are grateful for the opportunity to support this collaborative effort between the Gwinnett, Atlanta-Fulton, and DeKalb Public Library Foundations.”

This funding will help our library systems scale summer programming in 2025, with the goal of reaching over 30,000 young readers, offering more than 8,000 free public programs, and logging over 7 million minutes of reading.

Behind every one of those numbers is a child discovering their voice, gaining confidence, and developing a lifelong love of learning. At a time when education recovery remains urgent in the wake of the pandemic, summer literacy programs have never been more essential, and DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett county libraries are ready to meet the need. 

To learn more about how you can support summer literacy in your community, visit your local library foundation’s website:

Atlanta-Fulton Public Library Foundation – afplf.org

DeKalb Library Foundation – foundation.dekalblibrary.org

Gwinnett County Public Library Foundation – gwinnettpl.org/foundation