Providing Books and Other Print Materials for Classroom and School Libraries

Summary

IRA calls for increased funding for libraries. In many schools, libraries now have few books for each child; the condition of the books and the staffing of the libraries is deteriorating. This has serious implications for children’s literacy: Children who have access to books are more likely to read for enjoyment and information; children increase their reading skills by reading.

Libraries must be able to purchase a sufficient number of new books per student, and to replace older materials on an annual basis. Libraries should offer storybooks, novels, biographies, nonfiction texts, magazines, poetry, and a multitude of other types of materials to match the interests and reading abilities of the children they serve.

The Association advocates that teachers, librarians, and school administrators

Request appropriate numbers of books for classrooms, school libraries, and public libraries

Inform parents and policymakers of the importance of access to books

Remind policymakers of the need to allot funding for books

The Association further recommends that researchers

Conduct surveys to determine children’s access to books at home

Continue to study the benefits of access to books

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