

First Lady Michelle Obama explains what Open eBooks strives to do. Photo via The White House/Youtube

Michelle Obama helped launch Open eBooks yesterday morning

We are proud to announce the launch of Open eBooks – with a little help from @FLOTUS! https://t.co/BwMl3JpTS4https://t.co/jKIoYCvXjf

— Open Ebooks (@OpenEbks) February 24, 2016

Open eBooks is part of the White House ConnectED Initiative, which pledges to give 99 percent of the United States’ students access to high-speed wireless internet in their schools. Open eBooks partnered with the Digital Public Library of America, The New York Public Library and First Book to give children thousands of e-books for free, without checkouts or holds.

“Children from in-need families can access these eBooks, which include some of the most popular works of the present and past, using the Open eBooks app and read as many as they like without incurring any costs,” the website reads. “The goal of Open eBooks is to encourage a love of reading and serve as a gateway to children reading even more often, whether in school, at libraries, or through other eBook reading apps.”

The catalog of books are valued at more than $250 million, according to the White House’s description on the Youtube video.

The New York Public Library made the Open e-Books app, which can be accessed on tablets and smartphones as well as computers. The books will be curated by a national network of librarians and cultural heritage organizations.

The app is already generating celebrity support. Shaq and Taye Diggs got in on the Open E-books:

.@FLOTUS, @TayeDiggs, @SHAQ & @KimKardashian are all excited about #openebooks! pic.twitter.com/0BqhP33u5H

— Open Ebooks (@OpenEbks) February 25, 2016

And so did Kim Kardashian West:

Thank you @MichelleObama and #OpeneBooks for giving children access to books they need to learn and dream! https://t.co/bTNATKbo2Y

— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) February 25, 2016

More information on how to get involved or register with Open eBooks can be found on their website.
https://www.statesman.com/NEWS/20161012/New-app-to-give-thousands-of-e-books-to-children-in-need-for-free
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