Quote:
Originally Posted by Tarana
Remember, not all the very poor are in the city or have access to the library. Some lose their privileges because they are late returning books because Mom is working and can't get there. Then they get fines and can't check out books until the fines are paid. Mom has to choose between paying fines and buying food or meds. We have a lot of poor in our suburban community and getting to the library is quite difficult for many since they don't own vehicles. Being able to download books to an ereader would be helpful since even if they don't have wifi at home, they have free wifi at school. As far as challenging kids to read, well, there, I can't help you.  My focus is on aiding elderly who are essentially homebound or can't read without a device. And they WANT to read. |
The posted excerpt states: "the White House sees the modest plan as part of a strategy to address
inner city problems [...]" (Emphasis is mine.) So, while some people in isolated or rural areas may struggle to get to a public library, those populations are not
this program's target.
Some other problems you mentioned may indeed apply to the target population, though I've edited your post to remove specifics that may or may not apply:
Quote:
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Some lose their privileges because they are late returning books [or don't return them at all, for a variety of reasons]. Then they get fines and can't check out [more] books until the fines are paid. Mom [or whomever] has to choose between paying fines and buying food or meds.
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In response to your comment, "As far as challenging kids to read, well, there, I can't help you", I submit: the article states this program is "
part of a strategy". The article mentions some elements of that strategy, but not not all, and not many details. So I am very interested in learning how this program and larger strategy will seek to make reading attractive and easy-peasy for the target audience members, who may - as you insightfully noted - face a variety of challenges that likely contribute to their not reading for pleasure.
I think many people are posting knee-jerk reactions about this program without bothering to first read the article or even to carefully read the excerpt.