Laundromats Are Hosting Story Times for Kids So They Can Improve Their Literacy on Laundry Day

Days spent at the laundromat can often be incredibly boring, especially for children waiting on their parents. But, instead of asking kids to entertain themselves by watching the rinse cycle, librarians are visiting locations so they can read to the children.

The Too Small to Fail initiative has been trying to improve children’s literacy by bringing books, story time, and reading groups to unusual community spaces, such as laundromats.

The program is especially beneficial for closing the literacy gap between children from lower and higher-income families.

Though the organization has been operating in various locations across the country, they recently conducted a study on the efficacy of their reading programs in six New York laundromats.

Every weekend, volunteer librarians would team up with laundromat owners in order to transform a corner of the facility into a learning corner equipped with educational toys and books.

According to Education Week, the initiatives had a dramatic impact on the children’s reading abilities, especially when parents joined in on the fun.

“We have the right audience … parents and kids who need the most help when it comes to literacy and access to books,” Brian Wallace, president and CEO of the Coin Laundry Association, told Education Week. “Rather than watch the socks tumble … use that time and make it more productive.”

(WATCH the video below)



https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/laundromats-are-hosting-story-times-for-kids-so-they-can-improve-their-literacy-on-laundry-day/

Cass wrote:

What a wonderful idea eh me Lady

Knew you would love this, so spread the word locally to do the same..

phildidge wrote:

Cass wrote:

What a wonderful idea eh me Lady

Knew you would love this, so spread the word locally to do the same..

I’m in the process of getting rid of lots of adult uncataloged paperbacks that anyone could take out (they’re old and have been here since before my time) so I’ll take some to our local laundromats. The others, if in good condition are going to local nursing homes and I’ll pop some in the little free libraries we have around town. Thanks for a great idea! My director will think this is great!

Our weeded children’s books go to local schools and to shelters and refuge centers. Our adult westerns and mysteries we send to the local jails and prisons. We also give our uncataloged romances to ladies on our housebound routes.

Cass wrote:

phildidge wrote:


What a wonderful idea eh me Lady

Knew you would love this, so spread the word locally to do the same..

I’m in the process of getting rid of lots of adult uncataloged paperbacks that anyone could take out (they’re old and have been here since before my time) so I’ll take some to our local laundromats. The others, if in good condition are going to local nursing homes and I’ll pop some in the little free libraries we have around town. Thanks for a great idea! My director will think this is great!

Our weeded children’s books go to local schools and to shelters and refuge centers. Our adult westerns and mysteries we send to the local jails and prisons. We also give our uncataloged romances to ladies on our housebound routes.

I could never get rid of any of my books, as they all have meaning to me Cass.

I get your point, but, every book, has a story within itself apart from its story

I have had to place many books in storage as have no room any more. No matter how some are tatty

I would rather buy new books for others in this case

Though support your view to help here....

Dont thank me Cass, thank the people that started this

I love how you take on board such a good idea and replicate this

You know, I have never read a romantic book in my life...

phildidge wrote:

Cass wrote:

I’m in the process of getting rid of lots of adult uncataloged paperbacks that anyone could take out (they’re old and have been here since before my time) so I’ll take some to our local laundromats. The others, if in good condition are going to local nursing homes and I’ll pop some in the little free libraries we have around town. Thanks for a great idea! My director will think this is great!

Our weeded children’s books go to local schools and to shelters and refuge centers. Our adult westerns and mysteries we send to the local jails and prisons. We also give our uncataloged romances to ladies on our housebound routes.

I could never get rid of any of my books, as they all have meaning to me Cass.

I get your point, but, every book, has a story within itself apart from its story

I have had to place many books in storage as have no room any more. No matter how some are tatty

I would rather buy new books for others in this case

Though support your view to help here....

Dont thank me Cass, thank the people that started this

I love how you take on board such a good idea and replicate this

You know, I have never read a romantic book in my life...

Weeding books is part of library life. Now personal books are a different matter because it’s just mostly me who handles them and I take care of them. You wouldn’t begin to dream of the nasty things I have found in books. Also, I have a finite space and old stuff has to go to make way for the new.

I’d love to buy loads of new books for me and everybody but it’s just not realistic. But giving most books another home is great, especially for those who for whatever reason can’t visit a physical library location.

But I do understand how you feel.

Yes thanks to you for highlighting this. I really do appreciate it.

Hahahaha. I haven’t read any since I was like 13, apart from Ben and Eddie’s book which is a modern day romance. Although I think it’s more romerotica. But yes, it’s still a thriving genre.

What a fantastic idea. Turning something boring into something inspiring.