In 1999, Rebecca Constantino began doing a study at schools across Los Angeles. She had just completed a PhD in Language, Literacy and Learning, and she was analyzing children’s access to books in wealthy and low-income communities.
One day, she saw something that stopped her in her tracks. “I was at a school in a wealthy community, and they were getting rid of almost brand-new books because they didn’t have room in the library, “said Constantino. She put the books in her car and drove them to a school in an underserved community.
Shocked by the difference she saw in public school libraries, Constantino became determined to bridge the gap. “School libraries are not funded well, and sometimes not funded at all,” said Constantino. “If you’re a child in an underserved community, you’re left with boring, outdated, and uninteresting books. “
The word about Constantino’s work was spread, and books began piling up. Today, her nonprofit organization, Access Books, has provided more than 1. 5 million books to public-school and community libraries across California. The group has also redecorated close to 350 libraries in public schools and homeless shelters.
Constantino recruits (招募) volunteers who work alongside the community to create a warm, vibrant (充满生机的) and welcoming library space. Students and their families, as well as school staff and teachers, come together to join in. “We’re working together. It’s not a gift; it’s a partnership. It really builds a sense of community,” said Constantino.
In addition to book donations and refurbishing (再装修) libraries, the group offers author visits with schools and holds an annual writers conference for kids. Constantino said, “If we provide high-interest books and a beautiful library space, they do come and they do read. We found that in the schools that we serve, the number of books borrowed increases significantly after our coming. So we know that kids are really interested in the books that we give. My goal is that kids can always have a friend in a book and they can always turn to a book to find comfort and to learn something.”
4. Why did Constantino do the study in 1999?
A.To prepare for a PhD. |
B.To reduce the waste of books. |
C.To donate more books to poor communities. |
D.To figure out kids’ ways of gaining reading books. |
5. How did Constantino bridge the gap?
A.By obtaining donated books. |
B.By raising money on the street. |
C.By founding a profitable organization. |
D.By getting support from the local government. |
6. Which can best describe Constantino’s work?
A.Challenging. | B.Successful. | C.Depressing. | D.Doubtful. |
7. What impact does the nonprofit organization have on kids in poor communities?
A.They can turn to writers on campus. |
B.They are more willing to read books. |
C.They donate their own books to school libraries. |
D.They think the books on the shelf difficult to read. |