Taking reading to the masses

A grant through the Mississippi Early Childhood Association and the Save the Children organization will soon serve to boost reading habits among Franklin County’s youngest citizens — close to where they live.

The funding, provided to the Franklin County Public Library, covered the cost of purchasing three community sidewalk library boxes as well as 300 age-specific books that can be taken to enjoy by those between birth and eight years old.

Susan Adams, who serves as FCPL director, said her immediate goal is to place the boxes and reading materials into three local communities as soon as possible.

“We will be placing the free distribution boxes — which are reconditioned newspaper sales racks — outside Roxie Town Hall, Bude Town Hall and in front of the library in Meadville,” Adams noted.

“Each box will be filled with free books that will be placed in plastic bags and divided into specific age ranges with a sticker on the bag to show who that particular book is appropriate for.

“The bags will also contain an informative handout for adults to share tips on how to help the children in their charge become life-long lovers of reading.”

Adams said the ultimate goal of the outreach is to promote reading as a key component of the overall educational process for children.

“The benefits of reading are numerous — including supporting cognitive development, improving language skills and preparing young people for academic success,” she continued.

“Reading also promotes increased concentration and discipline and improved imagination and creativity. That’s important in the world in which we live because of the emphasis being placed on having a quality education in order to succeed.”

Research studies have shown the gap in ability between strong and struggling readers widens with age.

Adams noted — for this simple reason — it is critical that from a young age, children are read to by the adults in their lives, have easy access to books in the home so they can read in their spare time and are exposed to literacy activities in places outside the classroom.

She also said library personnel and members of the Friends of the Franklin County Public Library group will work to monitor and replinish reading materials in the trio of boxes on a regular basis.

The concept of free book distribution sites is nothing new locally and across the country.

“One of the things we hope to accomplish is to place these boxes close to where people live and where they can take advantage of the opportunity to promote reading for their children without having to drive great distances,” Adams said.

“If they wish, children can keep the book they get or they can do like we do at the library — read and return it to the sidewalk library box so that others can enjoy it.”

For additional information related to the book distribution program, contact Adams through the library in Meadville by calling 601-384-2997.