Library of Congress Ambassador Visits Sumner Elementary to Boost Reading

Greensboro residents saw a high profile push for childhood literacy when Mac Barnett, the Library of Congress National Ambassador for Young People s Literature, visited Sumner Elementary School on Nov. 3, 2025. The visit was part of a tour that included multiple stops meant to encourage reading among young children, and it coincided with local donations aimed at expanding book access across Guilford County.

During the Sumner Elementary event the Library of Congress donated a book to each student. Greensboro Bound, a local literacy nonprofit, supplemented that gift by donating multiple copies of Barnett s books to Guilford County elementary schools and early learning programs. Organizers framed the activity as a combination of exposure, access and inspiration designed to foster lifelong readers at a time when reading proficiency has declined since the pandemic.

The visit comes against the backdrop of persistent fourth grade reading proficiency trends that worry educators and civic leaders. Local educators have pointed to losses in foundational reading skills that can ripple through later academic achievement and workforce readiness. For parents and taxpayers in Guilford County the decline raises questions about how schools, nonprofits and local government coordinate resources to reverse the trend.

Institutionally the visit highlights the role of cultural and federal programs in local education initiatives. The Library of Congress ambassador program brings national visibility and author engagement to classrooms, while organizations like Greensboro Bound operate on the ground to distribute materials and support early learning. For schools grappling with budget constraints and competing priorities the visit underscored the importance of partnerships that expand access to books and reading experiences without placing additional strain on classroom budgets.

Policy implications are direct. Reversing declines in reading proficiency will require targeted investment in early literacy interventions, sustained funding for classroom materials, and expanded access to prekindergarten and summer reading supports. Responsibility falls across multiple decision makers, including the Guilford County school board, county commissioners and state lawmakers whose budget and policy choices shape program availability. Voters influence those choices at the ballot box and through civic engagement with school governance and budget processes.

For families and neighborhoods the immediate impact is tangible. Each donated book offers a pathway to practice reading at home, to spark curiosity and to connect young readers with stories. For the wider community the visit serves as a reminder that measurable progress will depend on consistent funding, transparent reporting on outcomes and coordinated efforts between schools, libraries and nonprofits. As Guilford County moves forward, residents and officials will need to track reading metrics and align resources to ensure that short term enthusiasm from visits translates into long term improvements in student achievement.