Free ebooks for poor low income kids

[Froide]

Originally Posted by Catlady

But again, if they've got a device like that, all they need is the library card. I don't know that ownership of a digital file would feel significant to a child the way ownership of a physical book felt meaningful to kids in earlier generations. Seems like it would be better to donate the e-books to the public libraries to expand their collections of kids' books.

• RE: "But again, if they've got a device like that, all they need is the library card."

And, of course, the motivation to use the device to read, and to get and use a library card! I gather that motivation is lacking among this target audience.

• RE: "I don't know that ownership of a digital file would feel significant to a child the way ownership of a physical book felt meaningful to kids in earlier generations."

I concur. In fact, recent articles have quoted research findings that kids prefer printed books to digital ones. I suspect at least two issues might be at play here: (1) giving away ebooks might be easier and cheaper than giving away printed books, and (2) this ebook giveaway program may serve an additional agenda (namely, to make progress toward bridging the digital divide in the target areas).

• RE: "Seems like it would be better to donate the e-books to the public libraries to expand their collections of kids' books."

Takes us back to the first bullet point.

Originally Posted by Catlady

I don't get it. If they have the hardware, all they need is Project Gutenberg or a library card to get access to thousands of books. If they don't have the hardware, it's meaningless.

On Project Gutenberg: the children may prefer more modern books that reflect their life, interests, and values. Older books also tend to be text heavy and a lot of Project Gutenberg titles are text only, especially the ones transcribed early on. This does not necessarily reflect the needs of the modern child, particularly younger children and reluctant readers. (Yes, they call them that.)

On Libraries: libraries do not always have the money to purchase the books that their patrons are interested in. Consider how often you've searched for a book, only to discover that your library does not have it. Or consider how often you've found a book at your library, only to be placed on a waiting list.

[SteveEisenberg]

Here's a bit more information:

http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/04...oks-obama-plan

The effort will work through a new app, being developed by the New York Public Library, that has the buy-in of all the major publishers.

"Children should not be unable to get reading materials because their parents don't have money," says Carolyn Reidy, president and CEO of Simon & Schuster, which has offered up all of its titles for kids from 4 to 14.

http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2015/04...y-initiatives/

The New York Public Library (NYPL) will play an important role in the new effort through its development of the new content delivery app. The app, which will allow users to seamlessly browse and read ebook titles on a variety of devices—including tablets donated as part of the ConnectEd initiative and smartphones, which are increasingly used by Americans at all income levels—will be released later this year.

It sounds to me that eInk may not be supported. Realistically, the kind of kids who would gladly read on a nerdy-looking monochrome device are likely to already be readers.

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

This program makes no sense, because kids already have access to public libraries for free content.

It depends on the person. Me -- I'm more likely to finish a book I borrow than own. But for lots of people, children or adults, the opposite is true.

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by BWinmill

On Libraries: libraries do not always have the money to purchase the books that their patrons are interested in. Consider how often you've searched for a book, only to discover that your library does not have it. Or consider how often you've found a book at your library, only to be placed on a waiting list.

But that's why I said I thought the donations might better go to the libraries directly to expand their children's sections.

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by Froide

And, of course, the motivation to use the device to read, and to get and use a library card! I gather that motivation is lacking among this target audience.

Yes, but how does this program motivate kids to read? That's what I don't see. A kid who doesn't read isn't magically going to become a convert because he or she gets a pile of free e-books.

[Froide]

Originally Posted by Catlady

Yes, but how does this program motivate kids to read? That's what I don't see. A kid who doesn't read isn't magically going to become a convert because he or she gets a pile of free e-books.

I, too, am interested in learning more about the Promotion/Communication element of the marketing mix for this "increase reading for pleasure among low income, inner city kids" campaign.

Originally Posted by Catlady

But that's why I said I thought the donations might better go to the libraries directly to expand their children's sections.

Since the articles discuss developing a new app for this program, I suspect that they are trying to restrict access to low income children and youth. Libraries wouldn't place such restrictions, so publishers probably find that route undesirable.

[murg]

Originally Posted by ApK

My first thought on reading the OP was "Huh? Did Obama just propose to invent public libraries?"

My first thought on reading the OP was "Wow, massive tax break for no actual money spent by the publishers."

My local library has several ereaders that it lends out. These are pre-loaded with ebooks from the library's collection. The purpose is to provide access to to children of families that other wise would not be exposed to the technology or likely the books. It's just a laudable attempt to level the early education playing field. Jeez people, complain. complain, complain.

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by murg

My first thought on reading the OP was "Wow, massive tax break for no actual money spent by the publishers."

Yup. Mine too.
"Beware of politicians or publishers bearing gifts."

Together? The timing says it all.

Run away. Run away. Run away.

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by BWinmill

Since the articles discuss developing a new app for this program, I suspect that they are trying to restrict access to low income children and youth. Libraries wouldn't place such restrictions, so publishers probably find that route undesirable.

And restricting access is a good idea because ... ?

[ApK]

Originally Posted by Froide

I think the "big ideas" here are:
(1) under-served youth are not reading for pleasure, but should be
(2) this campaign will publicize and (hopefully) make it both attractive and easy-peasy for the target audience to read for pleasure

Worthy ideas. If it works, I don't think we can begrudge the publishers their tax breaks. :-)

[Rbneader]

Everyone talking about access to public libraries has forgotten one very important point - access to a building depends on being able to get there.

Many poor people don't have the money or time to get their kids to a library. Current American culture makes it problematic to send kids out on their own (people are being reported to CPS for just letting their kids walk half a mile alone). I would be willing to bet that most poor kids don't consider themselves as having access to public libraries. A smartphone app would probably significantly increase access, especially if it was also on popular mp3 players.

Better would be the publisher providing no-frills ereaders with the books, but that would involve spending actual cash, so...

[ApK]

Many library systems have remote e-access. Overdrive, etc, has been facilitating that for years. Nothing new.

And while I have no doubt that certain folks have issue getting to libraries, I doubt that's the crux of the issue. In the inner cities (where most of the people are) libraries are nearby and people are hardly housebound.

[Katsunami]

To be honest, I always think that actions such as this are pointless. There are thousands and thousands of free ebooks already if one wants to read the classics, or get the the free give-aways. For new books one could use a library.

Even the hardware is often free; I've seen e-readers and older laptops at thrift shops for as low as €25. If the computer has a 20GB HDD and 2GB RAM, which is basically the case for anything produced in the last 10 years, you can clean the device inside and out (if the store didn't, but they mostly do), wipe the hard disk (most often done as well already), install a Linux Mint version with a desktop requiring low power (XFCE, LXDE), and you're good to go.

Nearly every mall, subway, bar or whatever provides free WIFI, so you wouldn't even need to get your own internet connection to obtain books.