This project will build the personal libraries of children and inner-city schools and organizations serving these children in Ohio and Kentucky by providing a rich supply of books to those in need. We hope to give away two million books to two million children in the next 5 years.
There are currently 32 million U.S. adults who can't read. Nearly two-thirds of low-income U.S. families own no books. Children in low-income neighborhoods have fewer books not only in classrooms, schools and public libraries, but also in their homes. With fewer books in the home, parents in low-income situations are less likely to read aloud. Children raised in low-income households read less books and access signficantly fewer reading materials than their financially stable peers.
Adopt a Book will provide access to reading materials for children and families by providing donated books for free. Books will be donated by individuals, through book drives, or gifted of which will then be provided to low-income children. By providing more reading materials in the home and in their community, it will promote a positive environment for reading. Having books in the home improves reading performance and encourages children to read more and for longer periods of time.
The project will encourage a positive attitude toward reading and help children become more successful readers. Enthusiasm about books and reading can be shared between parent and child to deepen the child's interest in learning to read. Positive attitudes towards reading have been shown to have a large impact on literacy gains. If we are able to reach 2 million children, they will have a better chance of future success, which will result in a more successful and thriving community.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
