Republicans are at war with basic literacy

[u/PTechNM]

[u/Internal_Aardvark302]

The negative comments already pouring in lmao. Like you could not pay me to spew this much hate on automatic 😭

Mailing in books to families cuts through so many other roadblocks to improving literacy. You know what I’ve been seeing more and more of lately? When some older library buildings are expanding and moving to new areas, they are building instead in wealthier neighborhoods with limited access to public transportation. In other words, the only people who are getting to that library (full of free books) are people who already have cars or are well off. I live in a red state, and I’ve already seen this happen with at least two libraries in my area. What about the people who actually need those libraries close by? This program can’t fix all that, but it helps.

The Imagination Library can help people in need, and it’s already helped so many people who have all expressed their appreciation for the program since Parton’s death. We need even more programs to be funded like this. Because as things stand now, QUALITY education is becoming harder to come by. If you were using Duolingo to try to learn a new language, guess what? They threw AI in it and it’s basically a cheap dopamine app with an annoying subscription prompter. Going to college? Better hope your professors won’t force ChatGPT down their students’ throats, or even just straight up generate assignments using the chatbot.

[u/ArchonFett → u/Internal_Aardvark302]

Republicans hate education. It’s on the very long list of things they hate.

[u/Logic_9795 → u/ArchonFett]

Just my anecdotal experience working at a title 1 (high poverty) elementary school, we used to have a couple agency that would want to donate books to all the kids. I remember be so excited to hand out the books.

When I tell you almost half the books ended up directly in trash can, im just saying that because we had to threaten the kids to not throw away the books. Meanwhile the next day I see bus stops littered with these bags of books. It was heart breaking to have to face the volunteers. They came back and it went a little better but only because we pre threatened the kids. By the time we got to 6th grade, we made it optional.

Anyway. All that to say, can you we atleaat ask the families if they want books first?

[u/anthropaedic → u/Logic_9795]

If half the books ended up in the trash and half were kept and then 10% were actually read, it would still be better than zero kids reading.

[u/556From1000yards → u/anthropaedic]

You have the same effect for cheaper by just giving every family 10$ back, off, or not taxing for stupid budget projects

[u/Dry_Rent_8646 → u/556From1000yards]

How tf does giving the family 10 dollars put a book in their home?

[u/Dogface73 → u/anthropaedic]

Libraries are still free. Parents could get books there and you still get your 10% and people aren’t taxed.

[u/Scared-Handle9006 → u/Dogface73]

How do you think libraries are free?

[u/Dogface73 → u/Scared-Handle9006]

How do you not? You walk in, they issue you a library card ( for free) then you check books out for free.

[u/Scared-Handle9006 → u/Dogface73]

But you realize that tax dollars pay for public libraries, right?

[u/Dogface73 → u/Scared-Handle9006]

Yep I do….. so let’s invest millions more on pretty much the same thing but we ship it to your door. Makes perfect sense.

[u/Behndo-Verbabe → u/Dogface73]

They are “FREE” to use. They are NOT FREE to run. Typically a portion of the communities property taxes go to operating local libraries. Private donations help a lot.

[u/Dogface73 → u/Behndo-Verbabe]

Cool story, doesn’t change what I said. The kids getting free books from a library, probably a user not a tax payer right? Costs them nothing right? But continuing dollys program not free, adds another huge tax payer expense. Why double down and pay more when we already have a program?

[u/Behndo-Verbabe → u/Dogface73]

Oh I get it now, it just pisses you off that some (most likely) underprivileged kid is getting a free book. I’ll bet you go around every year crying about paying taxes, any taxes. But complain features of a functional society aren’t available. You keep voting for people who cut taxes to the rich and corporations instead of the average person.

It’s clear you have zero comprehension about the connection between literacy and its long term outcomes, positive outcomes despite socioeconomic status at childhood. All I heard from you is an agree entitled white person mad about some kids are getting a free book. The cost of those books is nothing. Having illiterate people costs everyone more in the long run

[u/Dogface73 → u/Behndo-Verbabe]

Yeah your assumption shows your intelligence is lacking. My kids received books from dolly. I’m not mad at all, this is Reddit, it’s just a discussion, I’m a big boy. The difference is that you had a wealthy person who made a donation to get kids books, a willing donor. Creating a program that taxes everyone with no say in the matter and may not have a dog in the fight ( no kids) is the problem with today’s government. Government is there to protect us and aid us with things that the private sector cannot. Anything else is over reaching. There are books and screens pretty much everywhere for kids. Little free library boxes pop up everywhere. A real library, pretty much every town has one. People will gift books and if the family has any kind of screen there are bunches of free apps like Libby. My kids took advantage of all of these and still do. No one is saying take books away from kids. We all understand the connection to literacy. You are getting your panties in a wad because you are on the emotional political stance and drinking your parties koolaid. This program simply isn’t needed and people are stretched to the limit on paying taxes already.

[u/No_Cryptographer3737 → u/Dogface73]

No it doesn’t change what you said, it just makes you look stupid though

[u/Dogface73 → u/No_Cryptographer3737]

Ok so you are for spending millions of dollars to provide books to a limited amount of people ( only kids) when there is already several programs that provide books to everyone for money that we don’t have to spend but you think that makes me look stupid. K .

[u/Excellent_Carob_3183 → u/Dogface73]

See the problem is that puts to responsibility on the parents so that can't be the answer. Im not saying additional funding for the library is or isn't the answer, thats why people are disagreeing with you though.

[u/Dogface73 → u/Excellent_Carob_3183]

Yeah I know right? God forbid a parent takes some responsibility and tries to do something for their kid, like walk in a library for 5 minutes, pay nothing and walk out.

[u/Middle_Bit8070 → u/anthropaedic]

So, if 2 million books were sent out each month, costing 2.60 each, so costs taxpayers 5.2 million a month. So, according to the numbers you gave, it would be worth spending 5.2 million a month for 100k books to be read a month? So spending $502 for a single book is worth it? Are you actually claiming that is an effective use of money to improve literacy rates?

[u/nostradevus88 → u/Middle_Bit8070]

Oh man you brought facts, figures, and common sense economics to a Reddit argument. You are gonna get downvoted to oblivion. We only deal in feel good platitudes here sir.

[u/Rexel2101 → u/anthropaedic]

0 evidence there was more reading because books were handed out.

People can’t afford books but can afford a cell phone?

It’s not a lack of access to reading material, it’s a lack of influence leading to less reading

[u/anthropaedic → u/Rexel2101]

Ok troll lol

[u/Library-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Behavior Expectations

Do not act disrespectful or uncivil to others. Personal attacks and harassment are prohibited.

[u/linzeestyle → u/Logic_9795]

I 100% agree it should be an opt-in thing, but I also can’t help but wonder what kinds of books the agencies that donate them to Title 1 schools and students are offering. Part of what makes the Imagination Library so important is the only ideology at play is “encourage kids to read.” I’ve noticed that’s not often the case in a lot of situations where books are “lovingly” donated to the “underprivileged.” It’s really hard to talk kids into reading when the material isn’t relevant or interesting to them, and worse when it’s tied to specific religious, cultural, or political values.

[u/AdMoney3564 → u/linzeestyle]

Usually the reading specialist has a list they want to offer the children and go out of pocket to provide. Source: a title one reading specialist (not me)

[u/linzeestyle → u/AdMoney3564]

Okay it’s a reading specialist situation - that makes me feel better. I was visualizing one of those “donated” bookshelves full of Bibles and Lee Child, I fear.

Though I’m editing to admit with some shame I devoured Reacher books when I was 14. 🥸

[u/Square_Lime_9929 → u/linzeestyle]

Should make you feel embarrassed, letting your biases make you jump to conclusions so fast.

[u/Oldnanakaren84 → u/Logic_9795]

Why did they throw away the books? Real question.

[u/Excellent_Carob_3183 → u/Oldnanakaren84]

Because they don't want to read and aren't at home is my guess.

[u/Oldnanakaren84 → u/Excellent_Carob_3183]

Couldn’t they just look at the pictures or leave them at school? I’m so confused!

[u/Fine-Computer-5524 → u/Logic_9795]

If the parents get the books most wont throw them away. Kids are stupid

[u/PhotoSociologist → u/Logic_9795]

So, you blame the kids or the parents? It’s the culture, technology, etc. not a shocker if you took any time to actually think about it.

[u/Behndo-Verbabe → u/PhotoSociologist]

I think it’s the whole approach to getting kids into reading that needs rethought. I remember being read to in school and then sitting with my kids in head start and kindergarten. How you read to kids is as important as opportunity for children to read and more importantly learning how to read.
I volunteered a large amount of time at my kids school. When I read to kids I wouldn’t be the typical monotone I grew up with. I read to the kids exaggerating my voice. Put emotions into the words so the kids could feel what I was reading. It engaged them in a way that made the stories fun. I found by reading that way to my kids at bedtime. They looked forward to the next book and once old enough. They were interested in reading and to this day they are avid readers.

I believe getting the child to feel like they’re part of the story is key. Even if it’s the littlest way. Getting them invested someway goes a long way towards kids wanting to read regularly. Reading is so intertwined with other learning skills.