September 12, 2026 — Judith’s Reading Room, a 501 (c) (3) based in eastern PA, dedicated its newest library containing more than 90 brand-new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) books to Abundant Life Academy (ALA) in Nutley, New Jersey, filling a vital gap in its library and connecting its students to a global community of young innovators. It became the organization’s 115th Judith’s Reading Room named library.

From robotics to space exploration, these topics captivate children everywhere — proof that curiosity knows no borders. In the spirit of “ubuntu,” an African concept embodied in Judith’s Reading Room’s mission that roughly means — “I am because we are” — the new collection invites students to join millions around the world in discovering, building, and imagining a shared future.

Judith’s Reading Room, founded in 2010, and present in 27 countries, curated the collection to ignite ALA’s student body of more than 370 scholars from Pre-K to 12th grade to celebrate curiosity, inspire hands-on exploration, develop future-ready skills, practice critical thinking and develop creative solutions. The library is dedicated in the honor of Anthony Koyama Vaughn, Jr., a graduate of ALA for his commitment to excellence.

Surprisingly, many schools have outdated or insufficient books on STEM topics such as robotics, outer space, engineering, design, technology, art and architecture. That’s where Judith’s Reading Room jumps in to provide hand-picked books that measurably augment existing collections.

This year Judith’s Reading Room has donated STEM collections to schools in Muhanga, Rwanda; East Harlem, New York; and Nutley, New Jersey. “Students everywhere desire the most advanced STEM resources because they know they will be competing for future jobs with people in far-flung places like Muhanga, Rwanda, where students there are winning LEGO robotics championships,” said Cathy Leiber, President, Judith’s Reading Room.

The curated collection features titles including Science in the Kitchen, Build the TRAIN, The Definitive Visual History of Architecture, Oceanarium, Smithsonian’s MAKER LAB – “Build a Suspension Bridge, Universe, Quantum Supremacy, The Tree Collectors, and The Gravity of Math. The 115th Judith’s Reading Room library at Abundant Life Academy includes over 90 books at a cover price of $2,091.

“Each day I look at the books and I’m excited for what they will add to our new STEM lab and the enrichment and learning this library will facilitate,” noted John Kuebler, ALA’s Superintendent. He added, “We are thankful to Judith’s Reading Room for their contribution to this vision!”

Judith’s Reading Room, a 501 (c) 3 global literacy organization was founded in 2010 in the memory of Judith F. Krug, a distinguished librarian and cousin to the founders. Its mission is: “To enrich lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy.” To date, the organization has established 115 eponymous libraries in 27 countries with 135,094 donated books at a cover price of more than $1.45 million dollars. For more information, please visit www.judithsreadingroom.org.

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