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Authors and Operation Literacy spotlight book-drop program and the role of librarians
Summary
Authors urged focusing on getting children to read for pleasure and highlighted programs that bring authors to Title I schools; Operation Literacy described book drops and author visits that increased book ownership and reading engagement among underserved students.
An authors panel (including Ally Condie, Brandon Mull and Jennifer Nielsen) discussed strategies for creating engaging books and cultivating readers. Panelists told stories of reluctant readers finding gateways: Brandon Mull described the moment a student discovered a book that worked for them and argued libraries and librarians create reading cultures in schools. “The principal more or less creates a culture for the school. The librarian more or less creates the reading culture of the school,” one panelist said.
Operation Literacy described its book-drop program: every child in a Title I school receives a free book and an author visit to increase the chance the book will be read. Jennifer Nielsen recounted a moment when a first grader left clutching his first-ever book with the author’s signature. Panelists urged policy and philanthropic support for school librarians, author visit budgets and school-based read-aloud practices as cost-effective ways to cultivate reading.
