In Urbandale, Iowa, local librarians are taking proactive steps to address the concerning decline in literacy rates across the United States. With national literacy rates at their lowest since 1990, the summer months present a crucial opportunity to maintain and improve reading skills among students.
Stacy Stanton, a librarian at the Urbandale Public Library, emphasizes the importance of summer reading habits. ‘We really encourage all ages to read, so we really encourage adults to role model that reading habit for the younger ones and we know how important the summer slide can be. So just making reading a habit,’ Stanton explained. She suggests that reading even as little as five minutes a day can help build a consistent reading habit.
Despite the national trend, Iowa’s literacy efforts show encouraging signs. A recent study from Harvard indicates that while the state ranks in the middle for academic growth in reading, it has seen an 11% increase in literacy among incoming 4th graders, according to the Iowa Department of Education. Improved attendance since 2022 has also contributed to this positive trend.
In West Des Moines, librarian Jenna Ehler is working to make reading more engaging for children. ‘If we have kids in our community who maybe are less excited about reading for whatever reason that might be, we’re trying to build a space where they can come in here and get really excited about reading,’ Ehler shared.
While Iowa’s reading literacy shows promise, the state faces challenges in other academic areas. The same Harvard study found Iowa ranked last for academic growth in math, placing 38th out of 38 states surveyed.
These local initiatives highlight the importance of community involvement in education, particularly during the summer months when students are away from the structured environment of school. By fostering a love for reading, Iowa’s librarians are playing a vital role in supporting educational development and family engagement in learning.
Original reporting: WQAD (Quad Cities) — read the source article.
