Delaware’s Reading Assist recognized with 2025 Library of Congress honor

Wilmington organization 1 of just 15 lauded for successful practices in literacy programs

September 10, 2025

WILMINGTON, Del. – The Library of Congress has selected Reading Assist as a recipient of the international and highly selective 2025 Library of Congress Literacy Awards Program as a Successful Practices Honoree.

The Library of Congress Literacy Awards Program honored 15 organizations — including Reading Assist — for their implementation of successful practices in literacy programming.

“We are honored to be named among the 15 organizations receiving this prestigious award — especially on International Literacy Day,” said Caroline O’Neal, CEO of Reading Assist. “This recognition reflects the trust of our partner schools and educators, dedication of our Fellows, including our AmeriCorps members, who work tirelessly every day to close the literacy gap. We’re in awe of our striving readers. We are deeply grateful to the Library of Congress for lifting up this work on the global stage.”

The Literacy Awards program, sponsored by David M. Rubenstein since 2013, and by the Kislak Family Foundation since 2023, honors promising initiatives that provide exemplary, innovative, and replicable strategies that promote literacy.

The Library of Congress continues to draw attention to the urgent need to achieve universal literacy through the program.

“This year’s winners and honorees, based in various states and countries, have a particular focus on family and community,” said Acting Librarian of Congress Robert Randolph Newlen. “Through the generosity of David M. Rubenstein and the Kislak Family Foundation, the Library of Congress is excited to recognize the organizations’ demonstrated efforts to improve individual literacy skills while also strengthening the communities they serve.”

Reading Assist received $10,000 as a 2025 Successful Practices Honoree. The other recognized organizations were in California (2); Indiana; New York; North Carolina; Pennsylvania; South Carolina; Virginia (2), Washington, D.C. (2), Nairobi, Kenya (2); and Edinburgh, Scotland.

Additional information on the awards and previous winners, as well as an interactive program map, are available at www.loc.gov/literacy.