Frequently Asked Questions

Why don't low income families use the local Library?

Statistically low income families are far less likely to utilize public libraries, whether it is because they are not acclimated to using them or because they are worried about being charged late fees. Research has found that only 8% of such families use the library and its resources. We have found that the uptake on free books in all of our programs is phenomenal. This fact is “designed to say to people, strike down that notion that these people don’t care about their children - they deeply care”, says Neuman (Neuman et al., 2000). What these families lack are resources to enable their children to be successful.

Isn’t this the school’s problem/concern?

Of course, the focus of schools is on literacy but literacy acquisition is multi-faceted. Another important facet in literacy acquisition is linked to having access to books. County Kids Read gives free books to children ensuring that there are books in the home and easy access to books. Having books in the home develops children’s appreciation and love of reading.

How do we know that our program is being successful?

The answer to this question circles back to the research findings cited above. Namely, that access to books has a lasting, positive impact on children’s socio-economic and academic outcomes. Without early childhood interventions, such as our program, low literacy is generational (ABC Life Literacy Canada, 2018). We also monitor the EDI scores and the EQAO scores but of course cannot quantify with certainty our program’s impact as there are many variables relating to these scores. Our operating model provides immediate and ongoing feedback to ensure that we are meeting the need of our community partners. We are currently distributing upwards of 500 books per month.