Original Six Foundation’s My O6 Library Sets Records, Bringing Nearly 40,000 Books to South Carolina Kindergarten Students

COLUMBIA, S.C. — [May 20, 2026] — The Original Six Foundation’s My O6 Library program reached a major milestone during the 2025–26 school year, visiting a record 50 South Carolina public schools in May and distributing nearly 40,000 books to kindergarten students in rural and under-resourced communities.

Through My O6 Library, participating kindergarten students are invited to choose 10 new, age-appropriate books to take home and keep during a series of free books fairs held throughout the state in May.

“This year was an incredible milestone for My O6 Library,” said Kara Gormley Meador, Executive Director of the Original Six Foundation. “To reach 50 schools and come so close to distributing 40,000 books in one month is something our entire team and our supporters can be proud of.”  The record-setting May brings the program’s total impact to more than 144,000 books provided to South Carolina kindergarten students over the past five years.

My O6 Library is part of the Original Six Foundation’s broader mission to ensure that a student’s educational opportunities are not determined by the zip code they live in. Like all O6 programs, My O6 Library is offered at no cost to participating students and families.

The program’s impact extends beyond the classroom. Research has consistently linked access to books at home with stronger literacy development, and My O6 Library gives students the opportunity to continue reading and learning over the summer months.

“As we celebrate this record year, we’re already looking ahead to what’s next,” said Meador. “Our goal is simple: break 40,000 books and get those books in the hands of event more South Carolina children in May of 2026-27!”

About the Original Six Foundation

The Original Six Foundation is a South Carolina nonprofit committed to expanding educational opportunities for students in rural and under-resourced communities. Through programs including O6 Afterschool and My O6 Library, the Foundation provides students with meaningful educational experiences and resources at no cost to families. The Foundation’s mission is to ensure a student’s educational opportunities aren’t determined by the zip code they live in.