Why Community Reading Matters


Why Community Reading Matters

Here’s our take on community reading:

When we read, we learn new things. And when we read together, we learn things not just about the book, but also about the people with whom we are read. When we all get On The Same Page, we make better collaborators and problem solvers because we understand our world a little bit better. We become a community of engaged, educated, and empathetic individuals. And we have the opportunity to make better families, better communities, and a better world.  

When we read together, we become part of something bigger than ourselves.

But don’t just take our word for it…

  • Literary readers are more likely than nonreaders to participate in cultural, athletic, political, and volunteer activities. (Reading at Risk: A Survey of Literary Reading in America)
  • Increases in literacy lead to higher self esteem and a willingness to participate in community groups. It is in the best interest of the individual and society provide and support resources and literacy programs to improve the literacy levels throughout our communities. (National Institute for Literacy)
  • Two-thirds of students who cannot read proficiently by the end of fourth grade will end up in jail or on welfare. (National Assessment of Adult Literacy)
  • Fourth graders who reported having 25 books or more at home had higher scores on reading tests than children who reported they didn’t have that many books. (National Center for Education Statistics, 2003)
  • People with higher degrees of literacy are more likely to complete their education and to obtain higher paying jobs than those with lower abilities. (National Institute for Literacy)