At home, children in low-income areas have an average of only 4 books. Around 25% of children in America do not learn to read while growing up. Reading is something one may take for granted; the ability to take words on a page and formulate thoughts, opinions, and conclusions based on facts. In the City of Baltimore, the reading proficiency for third graders is only 47%, meaning that 53% of third graders have fallen behind the curve. Literacy is a basic right, however, most schools and families lack the resources to shift literacy in the right direction. Literacy in children uplifts communities and opens opportunities for children who otherwise would not have them.
- It empowers children, allowing creativity to be fostered as well as a love for learning.
- It is integral to cognitive development, leading to increased empathy, social skills, and enhanced concentration.
- Finally, literacy is necessary for improved language skills, preparation for schools, and overall community cohesion because language and literacy are what link humans as a species together.
The City of Baltimore is filled with what are called book deserts. Book deserts are formally described as geographicareas with limited access to age-appropriate books, print materials, and a reading culture. Book deserts most commonly overlap with low-income areas, where the decision between having food or a book on the table is all too real. Under-resourced communities also must make decisions about the allocation of their limited resources, and unfortunately, library funding tends to be a low priority. Book deserts are a serious and detrimental issue for low-income areas in the City of Baltimore, and it is the responsibility of all citizens to recognize the severity and work together to improve it.
The Maryland Book Bank is inherently focused on increasing literacy rates in the City of Baltimore through the work that they do in communities, schools, and homes. The Book Mobile directly serves with the intention of delivering to schools where a library does not exist within 5 square miles. By putting a special focus and covering areas that do nothave immediate access to books, the Book Bank is getting books into the hands of children who otherwise wouldn’t have
any. Book access is such an important issue, especially within the City of Baltimore, and it is essential that these under-resourced communities have access to books.