Literacy Jam 2026
The Literacy Jam 2026 was a success!
We collected books for each Compass youth from their wish lists, plus a nice amount of additional books that the kids can add to their libraries! Thank you to the volunteers and staff who made this event special!
We are grateful to the community for buying books for the Club Compass and YLDP youth! Thank you to Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum, Lincoln Library, The Public Library of Springfield, IL, and Barnes & Noble for partnering with us to boost the kids’ home libraries!
Thanks to the support of our community, Club Compass and Youth Leadership Development Program youth each received a book for their home libraries!
Enjoy photos from the event and a few of our happy readers!
Literacy Jam – February 7, 2026
Help spread Lincoln’s love of reading and donate a book from the wish list of Compass for Kids youth!
It’s amazing what can happen when you give a kid a book they choose: they discover their passion for reading!
There are three ways you can support Compass for Kids readers:
1) VISIT Barnes & Noble, 3111 S. Veterans Parkway, Springfield, Illinois, look for the Abraham Lincoln Museum & Library / Compass for Kids Literacy Jamboree book display. Pick up an “If You Give a Kid a Book” tag with the kiddos’ book choices or grab the book(s) directly from the display to make a purchase. If you can’t make it to the store, you can call Barnes & Noble at (217) 546-9440 to reserve a book to donate or shop online (see below)!
2) ONLINE: Purchase a Barnes & Noble gift card and Compass staff will purchase a book for a Compass for Kids youth on your behalf! You can buy gift cards in-store (at the Springfield, IL location) or online. If purchasing online, please email the gift card to enrichment@compassforkids.org.
3) ATTEND the Lincoln’s Literacy Jamboree event on February 7th, 10 am – 12 pm at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, and drop off a book (or two!) of your choice at the Compass for Kids table!
Have questions?
Contact:
Shelly Kinner, Volunteer and Special Events Coordinator
Compass for Kids, Inc.
shelly@compassforkids.org
(217) 414-7940