In an increasingly digital world, the way students engage with reading is rapidly evolving. Gone are the days when access to books was limited to libraries, classrooms, or home bookshelves. Today, digital libraries like Epic are transforming how children read, learn, and interact with stories and information. These platforms are not only making books more accessible, but they’re also personalizing learning, encouraging consistent reading for students, and building key literacy skills in new and exciting ways.
Whether at school or at home, students now have more tools than ever before to fall in love with reading—and to do so at their own pace.
What Is a Digital Library?
A digital library is an online platform that provides access to a wide range of reading materials—books, audiobooks, videos, articles, and educational tools. For students, this means access to thousands of titles across genres, formats, and reading levels—all available on a device such as a tablet, laptop, or smartphone.
Among the most popular platforms for kids is Epic, a digital reading app designed specifically for students in grades PreK–8. With over 40,000 books, audiobooks, and learning videos, Epic provides a safe, engaging environment for young readers to explore content tailored to their age and interests.
How Digital Libraries Like Epic Support Student Learning
1. Unlimited Access to High-Quality Content
One of the biggest benefits of digital libraries is instant access to thousands of books. Students no longer need to wait for a library visit or a book order to start reading something new. Platforms like Epic provide:
- Fiction and nonfiction books
- Graphic novels
- Audiobooks and Read-To-Me stories
- Educational videos
- Multilingual content in English, Spanish, French, and Chinese
This wide variety ensures that there’s something for every student—no matter their reading level, interests, or background.
2. Encouraging Independent Reading
Epic makes it easier for students to take ownership of their reading. Kids can explore topics they’re passionate about, whether it’s animals, science, history, or fantasy. This sense of choice fosters motivation and curiosity, making reading feel less like a task and more like an adventure.
Additionally, the Read-To-Me and audiobook features are perfect for early readers or students with learning differences, allowing them to follow along and build vocabulary through listening.
3. Personalized Recommendations
One of Epic’s standout features is its personalized library. Based on a student’s age, reading level, and previous reading activity, Epic recommends books that are just right for them. This helps build confidence by avoiding content that’s too difficult or too simple.
When students read books that match their skill level and interests, they’re more likely to stick with the habit and develop a love for reading.
How Educators Use Epic to Improve Classroom Reading
For teachers, digital libraries like Epic are powerful tools for enhancing literacy instruction and independent reading time. Here’s how educators use Epic to support students:
1. Access During School Hours (Epic School)
Epic School – digital reading platform, provides free access to 20,000+ books for students and teachers during school hours (Monday–Friday, 7am–3pm). This allows teachers to integrate Epic into reading blocks, homework assignments, and classroom discussions.
2. Epic School Plus for 24/7 Learning
For schools or districts that opt for the premium Epic School Plus plan, students get 24/7 access to the full library of 40,000+ books—even outside school hours. This helps bridge the gap between classroom learning and home reading.
3. ELA and SEL Integration
Epic offers titles aligned with English Language Arts (ELA) standards as well as books that support social-emotional learning (SEL). Teachers can use collections to explore themes like kindness, empathy, and resilience, helping students grow academically and personally.
4. Tracking Progress
Educators can track student progress, assign reading tasks, and review quiz results directly from the teacher dashboard. This data-driven approach makes it easier to identify which students need more support and which are excelling.
Supporting Reading at Home with Epic
Digital libraries are not just for schools—they’re also a fantastic resource for families. With the Epic Family Plan, parents can:
- Create up to four child profiles
- Track progress and time spent reading
- Filter content by age, reading level, or interest
- Encourage daily reading through badges and reading buddies
- Download books for offline reading—perfect for travel or screen time limits
With a 7-day free trial and an affordable annual plan ($84.99/year), Epic offers a valuable tool for building reading habits at home.
Real Impact: The Numbers Behind Epic
- 1 billion+ books read by kids on Epic
- 75 million+ students reached
- 1 million teachers use Epic in their classrooms
- 95% of Epic parents say it helped improve their child’s reading skills
These numbers speak to the platform’s effectiveness in supporting literacy development at scale.
Final Thoughts
In a world where screen time is often viewed with concern, platforms like Epic are redefining what “good screen time” looks like. With high-quality books, interactive features, and personalized learning paths, Epic and other digital libraries are making reading exciting and accessible for today’s students.
By combining technology with a love of storytelling, Epic is helping children across the world build strong reading habits—habits that will support them in the classroom and far beyond.