Here’s a shocking statistic. 45% of American children live in book deserts. These are neighborhoods that lack a public library or stores that sell books.
The term book desert was coined by Unite For Literacy to call attention to serious inequalities that compromise children’s reading development. According to researcher Susan Neuman, for children growing up in neighborhoods of concentrated poverty, book deserts severely hamper their ability to come to school ready to learn.
Unite for Literacy notes that, “The presence of books in the home is a strong predictor of reading achievement. Access to print resources during early childhood development has an immediate and long-term effect on vocabulary, background knowledge, and comprehension (Allington et al. 2010; Mol & Bus, 2011.”
This disparity, directly linked to poverty, can’t be overstated. “Families with incomes of $100,000 or more have nearly twice the amount of books than families with less than $35,000 in annual income (125 vs. 73), and Hispanic and Black children have fewer books in their homes than white, multi-racial, Asian or children of other racial backgrounds (Scholastic, 2019).”
Increasing book access to children in high-poverty areas is essential. Getting books into the hands of these children promotes not just improved test scores, or a more successful educational experience, but also a lifelong love of reading and learning. Not doing so means that these children face devastating inequalities throughout their lives.
So, how can you help?
Little Free Libraries often bridge the gap for low-income, low-access neighborhoods. Stock these libraries with books your kids have outgrown, already read, or no longer want to read. Click here for a complete list of all library boxes across the world.
Donate books to local teachers. At the end of the school year, teachers often purge their in-classroom books and give them to their students. But that only goes so far. By providing additional age-appropriate books, you will help encourage students reading during the long days of summer.
Volunteer! The National Book Access Association was founded in 1992, and is dedicated to eliminating barriers to learning and inspiring young minds. Use their membership map to find a non-profit focused on book access near you.
To learn more about book access, please read our recent article “What Does “Book Access” Really Mean and How Does it Benefit Children of all Ages?” And, if you’re in Delaware, or the surrounding tri-state area, please consider hosting a book drive for Success Won’t Wait. Hosting a book drive is a simple, but powerful, way to combat book deserts. One book at a time… you’re helping make a real difference.
About Success Won’t Wait
Founded in 2002, Success Won’t Wait is a not-for-profit literacy organization based in Wilmington, Delaware. Want to learn more about Success Won’t Wait’s literacy projects, donate books, or volunteer your time? Click on the About Us tab above.
Read now, because success won’t wait!