Quote:
Originally Posted by tubemonkey
This program makes no sense, because kids already have access to public libraries for free content. But; not all kids have devices or access to them, so that area needs to be addressed.
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The program's not perfect, but I get what it's trying to accomplish and applaud the effort. As my post above addresses, there are multiple issues at play, and you've highlighted two of them, each of which I think this program is trying to address:
(1) "kids already have access to public libraries for free content."
True, but here's the rub: the target audience must not be reading (much) for pleasure nor making much use of the public library or free ebook sources, such as Project Gutenberg. Programs like "
The Big Read" try "to restore reading to the center of American culture", but apparently such programs aren't making the desired impact with this target audience. So, I think the key point of President Obama's program is to try another approach to entice this target group of under-served kids to read.
(2) " But; not all kids have devices or access to them, so that area needs to be addressed"
According to the above-linked article and other news reports, that issue actually is being addressed. Not only do many libraries lend e-readers, and schools lend tablets or laptops, but as the above-linked article indicates: "Jeff Zients, Obama's top economic adviser, noted the White House had previously announced programs to upgrade Internet services for schools and libraries, with private sector help from companies including Apple, which pledged $100 million in devices to low-income schools."