The numbers tell the story: according a recent study, roughly 75% of the Americans who receive food stamps perform at the lowest two levels of literacy. And some 90% of high school dropouts require government assistance. The connection between poverty and literacy is starkly evident—and so, too, is the solution.
“The only public institution with the greatest impact on delivering literate communities that has stood the test of time other than schools are libraries,” observes Amandeep Kochar, Executive Vice President of Public Library Sales and Technology, at Baker & Taylor. “Libraries have stood the test of time as a great equalizer by serving as a place where all families can access relevant, engaging content, professionals acting as a support system, and a counter balance to parental education levels that encourage life-long learning.”
To support communities across the nation, Baker & Taylor chartered its Axis 360 Community Sharing Program, which links public libraries and schools with an efficient e-books and audiobooks sharing platform. And the program is having an impact in a number of communities, linking students to a wider variety of content from their public libraries right in their schools and classrooms-and multiplying the return on investment of public tax dollars.
Does this sound like something your community might benefit from? If so, representatives from our hosts Baker & Taylor will be on hand in the Librarians’ Lounge throughout BookExpo to answer questions about the Axis 360 Community Sharing Program, or any other B&T programs you may have.
Baker & Taylor representatives will be on hand throughout BookExpo at the PW BookExpo Librarians’ Lounge (Booth 1856).
