While researching free educational tools and initiatives to increase literacy across our state, I stumbled across a hidden gem in the Virginia public library system that most people don’t even know exists: BiblioBoard and the Indie Virginia digital collection.

Like many parents, educators, and avid readers, I’m used to standard library apps where you search for a popular digital book, only to find a three-week waiting list. You place a hold, wait your turn, and hope you finish it before your access expires.

What I discovered about BiblioBoard blew me away because it completely flips that model on its head.

Through Virginia’s regional public library network, residents have free, instant access to a digital platform designed with zero waitlists, zero hold times, and unlimited simultaneous checkouts. That means thousands of parents, students, or organizational teams can read the same book at the same time without paying a dime.

Putting the System to the Test

As an author and advocate for family and organizational leadership, I wanted to see this system in action! So, I decided to submit my own work to the state’s curation team to test the platform.

I’m thrilled to share that two of my books—Crow From the Shadow (a story built to help children embrace their unique gifts and build unshakeable self-confidence) and Lead Last: Twenty-One Counterintuitive Principles for Becoming an Effective Leader (a non-fiction manual for emerging and established leaders)—were officially selected for inclusion in the Indie Virginia: Discover Books From Local Authors collection!

How the Program Works (And How to Access It Free)

If you live in Virginia, accessing this growing library of local literature, children’s books, and leadership resources takes less than two minutes:

1. Open the Digital Portal: Head to the Indie Virginia BiblioBoard Library.
2. No Waiting Period: Browse the curated carousels featuring state and regional authors.
3. Instant Access: Click on any title to start reading immediately on your phone, tablet, or desktop—no queue and no holds.

Because BiblioBoard uses geolocation authentication, as long as you are physically located in Virginia or connected through a participating public library system, the catalog unlocks automatically.

Breaking Down the Barriers to Literacy

Getting selected for this initiative is an incredible personal honor, but what excites me most is how perfectly it aligns with our core mission at Parent-Child-Connect: reducing the barriers to literacy and character development.

When we talk about empowering the next generation, cost and access should never stand in the way of a child discovering a story that builds their self-worth, or a rising leader accessing principles that help them serve their team better. What better way to lower the barrier to literacy than to eliminate the price tag and wait times entirely?

Free Direct Links to Get Started Today

If you or your family are in Virginia, you can dive straight into both books right now with one click:

• For Young Readers & Parents: Read Crow From the Shadow on Indie Virginia to help your children build confidence and recognize their value.
• For Leaders, Mentors & Teams: Read Lead Last on Indie Virginia for practical, servant-led strategies to impact your workplace, school, or home.
• Not in Virginia or want a physical copy? Submit a request to your local library for my books:
  • Title: Crow From the Shadow, ISBN: 978-1737492702, Author: Olaolu Ogunyemi, Publisher: Olaolu Ogunyemi
  • Title: Horace the Horsefly, ISBN: 978-1737492726, Author: Olaolu Ogunyemi, Publisher: Olaolu Ogunyemi
  • Title: Billy Dipper’s Time to Shine, ISBN: 978-1737492740, Author: Olaolu Ogunyemi, Publisher: Olaolu Ogunyemi
  • Title: Lead Last: Twenty-One Counterintuitive Principles for Becoming an Effective Leader, ISBN: 979-8891389717, Author: Olaolu Ogunyemi, Publisher: Amplify Publishing

Supporting the Local Author Ecosystem

I encourage you to explore the entire Indie Virginia platform. Beyond my own titles, you’ll find an extraordinary lineup of indie authors across our state who are pouring their hearts into creating resources, stories, and educational content for future generations.

A massive thank you to the BiblioBoard team and the Virginia library system for creating this opportunity to serve our communities. Go check out the collection, share this secret resource with a friend, teacher, or fellow parent, and let’s keep building a culture of reading and leadership together!