Demise of Bookmobiles Will Hurt Children
It is ironic that on Page B2 of the May 5 California section there is an article about how Reginald Carhee, a former prison inmate, improved his reading skills through a program at the Los Angeles Public Library, and on Page B3 of the same section there is an article about city budget cuts eliminating the Los Angeles Library’s bookmobile program. By cutting this program the city is pulling books out of the hands of children, increasing the likelihood that they will fall behind in literacy skills.
Carhee eloquently pointed out that drug dealing didn’t require many books. He should be given kudos for his tenacity in learning to read. However, it is estimated that over 70% of juveniles in the justice system had difficulty in school. It is much more expensive to keep a child in juvenile hall than it is in school. The city is being penny-wise but pound-foolish.
Save the bookmobiles!
Maralyn Soifer
Literacy Coach, L.A.
Unified School District
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