How to Support Your Community Library

A few weeks ago I was talking to a friend about how the librarian at her kids school was just let go due to budget cuts in California.  We talked about how important it is for kids to have access to books and information, and how studies have shown the link between having access to a library and good test scores.

So, when I saw that one of the Pepsi Refresh grant recipients was using $5000 to fill his school’s library with books, Intent was inspired.  Check out our video and thoughts on how you can help your community library.

Library visits are higher than ever before. Due to the ongoing recession, more people are going to libraries to enjoy books, music and movies for free. More unemployed people are also taking advantage of the free internet and information resources available at libraries to aid them in their job search.

And ironically–funding lags in public libraries and school libraries to meet these increased demands. Research conducted by the American Library Association found that a majority of states had to cut back on state funding to public libraries and state library agencies that support libraries and statewide library programs.

This is an urgent issue for our nation’s children. Past research has shown that there is a direct correlation between kids’ test scores and the quality of their school libraries. When the quality of school libraries decreases from funding cuts, there is a direct negative impact on the education our children are receiving.

Check out other resources from around the web to learn more about libraries, the importance of literacy, and inspiring more reading in your community for kids and adults alike.

This series was inspired by Tom Quiram whose intent is to fill the shelves in the elementary schools with librarybooks. Tom Quiram was the recipient of the $5,000 grant from the Pepsi Refresh Project.
To learn more about the idea and get your own idea funded, visit www.refresheverything.com