The Link Between Public Libraries and Early Reading Success

"The Link Between Public Libraries and Early Reading Success" is the title of an article recently published in School Library Journal. I think it is of value to librarians, but also to the general public since the public votes! If people are convinced that there is value, beyond recreation, in maintaining a town's public library, then they will vote in support of library budgets and building projects. The Nesmith Library has always had the support of the townspeople of Windham, but it worries me that other libraries in the area may not have that support. So, I'm asking you, dear reader, to read the article and to let your friends in other towns know what you have found about the link between public libraries and children's reading. It is a benefit to all of us to have a nation of literate people! And don't forget to mention that you got the information from the library!

If you want a quick summary of the article, here it is:

There is a positive and statistically significant relationship between children’s services in public libraries and early reading success at school. In fact, there is even the probability of even stronger statistical evidence in the future, but first we need more ambitious research on the relationship between children’s services and early reading success. In the meantime, the evidence at hand suggests that the services of children’s librarians make a real difference in children’s lives.

It is also nice to know that libraries are important to people all around the world. It might be fun to read My Librarian is a Camel: How Books are Brought to Children Around the World by Margriet Ruurs [J 027.42 RUU] with the children in your life and discuss how important libraries are to you and them. In a few short years, these children will be voters, too, so it's never too early to build support!