The United States of America: big, powerful and currently the world’s only superpower.
With much of the nation’s concerns include economic and military strength, many have lost sight of the very concept that enabled the U.S. to become the country it is today: literacy.
Nearly 32 million people across the nation are deemed illiterate, according to the Department of Education.
“Why don’t they just take advantage of the public library service?” some may wonder.
Unfortunately, the answer to this issue isn’t that simple. Given the country’s heavy reliance on capitalism and economic standards, it’s easy to forget the people who aren’t included in the national equation of profit and prestige.
About 45% of American citizens lack access to public transportation, and even fewer can afford to secure other means of travel, according to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).
Simply stated, the majority of the individuals placed within this demographic are being held back from necessary educational opportunities by circumstances they can’t control. It would seem the rewards of literacy are just out of their grasp...or are they?
Initiated over 50 years ago and currently, on the move, supporters of the Palm Beach County Book Mobile have made it their primary goal to tackle the literacy and transportation issues in parts of South Florida through their innovative service.
Acknowledging that many residents lack the money and/or transportation to use their local library, the mobile library service has turned the tables by bringing books and other educational resources straight to the people themselves.
By Brenna Brown and Morgan Therrien