EDITORIAL: Support reading development by attending local library fair

Published 10:00 am Wednesday, February 5, 2025

America’s children are losing ground in literacy and reading skills, according to national testing results, and a growing number of fourth and eighth-grade students lack basic reading skills, continuing a post-pandemic slide.

One primary way to bolster reading skills is by reading more. We can all get a jump start on doing that while promoting literacy in the community by making plans to visit the library book sale this weekend at Walter B. Williams Park.

Proceeds from the Friends of the Mary Vinson Memorial Library event go to support local library programs for all ages. The sale is slated from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday for library “Friends” and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday for the general public.

The sale is also a great community event, bringing together book lovers of all ages.

It’s also a great way to promote reading within the community, which goes a long way in helping improve reading scores and is sorely needed.

The most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress exam was administered in early 2024 in every state, testing fourth- and eighth-grade students on math and reading.

Experts say that one key indicator of reading skills development among school-age children is actively seeing the adults in their lives reading.

Reading to children and having them see adults read, sets the stage for developing critical reading skills.

Children who are read to more often have improved language and listening skills, experience stronger emotional connections to their loved ones, and gain a lifelong love of reading.

According to studies, more than 80% of a child’s brain is formed during their first three years, and what they experience during this window can irreversibly affect how their brain develops. Attention and nurturing from a loving parent or caregiver supports healthy brain development — and one of the best ways to engage young children is to read books together.

Public libraries need our support, and so do young budding readers. They need tangible examples of adults putting reading into practice to recognize its value and importance. Plus, the annual book sale helps the library system fill in funding gaps that provide for programs and services all year long.

Supporting the library supports the community. Visit tllsga.org/friends to join Friends of the Mary Vinson Memorial Library and please make plans to attend this weekend’s event.