About Us

Robin Ferst was inspired by Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program in Tennessee and created Ferst Readers of Georgia in 1999. Robin had a personal connection to a need for books and literacy because she was diagnosed at age six with acute hearing loss, and is now profoundly deaf. Books became the most important part of her world, gave her confidence, and opened up a world of possibilities that helped her to overcome many challenges. Ferst Readers is her way of "Passing it On" to Georgia children. As Robin explains, “Children who read succeed. We want to raise a generation of readers. We need to provide parents with the tools to help their children be ready to learn when they start school. Parents are the first and most important teachers we have.”

Ferst Readers of Franklin County is the Franklin County Georgia chapter of Ferst Readers of Georgia, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering literacy and creativity in pre-kindergarten children. The motto of the Franklin County School System is "Educate to Graduate", and as Dr. Ruth O'Dell, former Franklin County Schools Superintendent said, "Educate to graduate begins with Ferst!" Research has shown that children who learn to appreciate books at an early age become lifelong readers, better students, and are more likely to stay in school and graduate.

The goal of Ferst Readers of Franklin County is to get books into the homes of as many of our birth to five-year-old children as possible. We have ongoing sponsorships from the following sources: Employees of the Franklin County School System, Friends of the Lavonia Library, Friends of the Royston Library, Lavonia Women's Club, Pinnacle Bank, Hart EMC, and Eastanollee Walmart. Various service organizations, clubs, and individual gifts provide additional funding to Ferst Readers of Franklin County.

There are approximately 1353 children eligible for the program in Franklin County. Enrollment opportunity totally depends on funding from donated sponsorships, so your help will make it all possible!

Please join with us in achieving our goal of encouraging children to dream and learn through reading! We promote parent and family involvement in the growth of literacy by providing the tools in the home each month for parents to enjoy reading every day with their children.

Registered children, from birth until their 5th birthday, receive a different high quality and age appropriate book in the mail from Ferst Readers each month to include in their home libraries. Each registered child in the family receives a different book that is developmentally appropriate.