From: Stacy Dillon <sdillon_at_lrei.org>
Date: Sun, 07 Nov 2010 12:14:11 -0500

I agree with Ed regarding value of the printed word. If parents are not modeling reading behaviours, or kids are in schools where the library is locked when it's not staffed, or there's not a library at all, the value of reading is certainly diminished. Sometimes the best thing that we can do as supplemental adults in the lives of children is to give books as often and freely as we can. One year when I was on an ALA committee I had a ridiculous amount of books around, so I gave them away for Halloween. My husband was worried that the kids wouldn't want them, but the looks on thei r faces changed his mind. There was one boy who couldn't contain himself and started jumping up and down with his copy of one of the HP books over his head. Not one single child groaned at the idea of getting his/her very own book. Maybe some of those kids didn't have parents who would take them to the library, or take the time to hunt for more affordable books.

Best, Stacy Dillon

Stacy Dillon Lower School Librarian LREI - Little Red School House & Elisabeth Irwin High School 272 Sixth Avenue NY, NY 10014
Received on Sun 07 Nov 2010 12:14:11 PM CST