Imagine a future where our children struggle to read, unable to grasp the knowledge needed to navigate an increasingly complex world. This is the alarming reality we face today.
Two reports came out last month that should concern us all — although they may have gotten lost in the other news flooding our attention of late. Both reports are about declining reading scores:
- Nation's Report Card: A report from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) showed that reading scores have continued dropping in both fourth and eighth grades, continuing declines first reported in 2019. According to the NAEP report, only 34 percent of fourth graders are reading at or above proficiency levels, a significant drop from previous years.
- Education Recovery Scorecard: A report, which was a joint venture between Harvard University’s Center for Education Policy Research and The Educational Opportunity Project at Stanford University, concluded that students are even further behind in reading than they were in 2022.
It feels obvious but also worth saying that this is seriously bad news.
We need literate, educated citizens if we’re going to solve the many challenges headed our way, such as navigating AI, solving health problems, addressing world politics, and more. If students can’t read, they can’t learn effectively, which means they won’t become the future leaders we need them to be.
We need literate, educated citizens if we’re going to solve the many challenges headed our way, such as navigating AI, solving health problems, addressing world politics, and more. If students can’t read, they can’t learn effectively, which means they won’t become the future leaders we need them to be.
There are school solutions to be worked on, for sure. For example, both reports above point to chronic absenteeism from school as a major contributing factor that needs to be addressed.
I’d like to suggest that we should also be looking at the role of libraries in this crisis. Libraries are well positioned to help drive reading scores up. They are trusted community institutions housing the resources we need to increase literacy and reading skills. Library staff carefully curate collections of books and plan programs to engage readers, such as story time and summer reading. They understand the importance of having readers choose the books that make them want to read more. Libraries cultivate a love of reading, and their staff are the fierce advocates for reading that our failing students desperately need.
We can see this impact outlined in many library strategic plans. Here are a few examples:
- From Seattle Public Library: "We will provide programs, collections, services, and other resources to help children, teens, and young adults build a love for reading and learning, and help students read at or above grade level."
- From Hennepin County Library: "The Library will strengthen and expand its efforts to support literacy for residents of all ages, and seek new opportunities to contribute to the educational success of Hennepin County youth."
- From DC Public Library: "The Library will provide services and programs that build and cultivate literacy and a love of reading."
Beyond a love of reading, can we be confident that libraries can move the needle on reading scores? In yet another report that I think may not have gotten the attention it deserves, The Educational Benefits of Public Libraries showed that investing in libraries has a direct correlation to increases in reading scores. This study offers clear evidence that making capital investments in the local library increases reading test scores in subsequent years.
There are also many other studies, like this one from Virginia, showing that library summer reading programs directly correlate with improved reading scores. Results indicate that “children and teens who attended summer reading programs performed better academically and experienced greater gains in their academic performance than their nonparticipating peers. Participants out-performed nonparticipants on tests across all measures and grades, kindergarten through 8.”
Investing in libraries now is about securing our future. Libraries are uniquely positioned to address the crisis of declining reading skills by providing resources, programs, and passionate advocates. Let's prioritize libraries and recognize their critical role in fostering a literate and educated society.
Investing in libraries now is about securing our future. Libraries are uniquely positioned to address the crisis of declining reading skills by providing resources, programs, and passionate advocates. Let's prioritize libraries and recognize their critical role in fostering a literate and educated society.
Here at NoveList, all of us are passionate about helping people fall in love not only with their next book but with the very act of reading. By helping to connect readers and books, we empower libraries to engage and develop lifelong readers. Join us by making sure your local library gets the support and funding it needs.
Danielle Borasky is Vice President of NoveList.
