The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) was honored by the Library of Congress in 2022 with an invitation to serve as the Center for the Book for the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The inclusion of CFVI as the USVI Center for the Book completes the list of participants to include all 50 States, Washington, D.C. and each of the U.S. Territories. The Library of Congress and its affiliate Centers for the Book work together to promote books, reading, literacy and the Library’s literary programming nationwide through public programs and initiatives designed to attract a diverse population and serve affiliates’ local audiences.
As the USVI affiliate, CFVI collaborates with the Library on literacy programming, services, and collections, develop independent local programs and literary heritage projects, including developing initiatives and public programs to promote literacy, reading, book arts, poetry, and USVI literary heritage.
“For decades, the Foundation has been working to promote literacy in the territory as a way to enhance the lives of our people, especially for our youngest children," said CFVI President Dee Baecher-Brown. "We look forward to expanding these efforts to share the love of reading and writing.”
Great Reads from Great Places
Every year, a list of books representing the literary heritage of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands is distributed by the Library of Congress’s Center for the Book during the National Book Festival. Each book is selected by a local Center for the Book or state library and most are for children and young readers. Books may be written by authors from the state, take place in the state, or celebrate the state’s culture and heritage.
The Little Free Library (LFL) program, a “take a book, share a book” free book exchange, launched in 2019 in the Virgin Islands and has since spread throughout the territory. Currently, there are 15 Little Free Libraries in the U.S. Virgin Islands located on St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John, with more to come! You can see all the library locations using this map. If you are interested in starting a new library, please contact bethn@cfvi.net.
Dolly Parton Imagination Library
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library is a no-cost book gifting program that mails high-quality books to children. The Virgin Islands Children’s Museum is the USVI steward for the program. All children under the age of 5 in the territory are eligible to receive one book per month delivered to their mailing address. Contact the Museum or click the link above to sign up. CFVI is proud to have helped launch the program in the territory through grants to VICM.
Campaign for Grade-Level Reading
Launched in 2010, Campaign for Grade-Level Reading (CGLR) is a collaborative effort by foundations, nonprofit partners, business leaders, government agencies, states and communities across the nation to ensure that more children in low-income families succeed in school and graduate prepared for college, a career, and active citizenship. The Campaign focuses on an important predictor of school success and high school graduation—grade-level reading by the end of third grade.
Since its launch, CGLR has grown to include more than 300 communities, representing 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and two provinces in Canada — with 5,000+ local organizations and 510 state and local funders. CFVI represents the territory in CGLR.
Dee Baecher-Brown, President
Beth Nuttall, Director of Grants and Programs
E-mail: general.info@cfvi.net