ERIC Number: EJ1301103
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Aug
Pages: 35
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0002-8312
EISSN: N/A
Getting Books in Children's Hands: Creating a Citywide Book Distribution Policy Using a Mixed-Methods Geospatial Approach
Neuman, Susan B.; Celano, Donna; Portillo, Maya
American Educational Research Journal, v58 n4 p815-849 Aug 2021
Recognizing the academic benefits of access to print for young children, book distribution programs abound in the United States. Designed to promote book ownership for low-income families, programs have unique delivery systems, leading to a largely fragmented policy. This article describes an urban city's effort to build a coordinated book distribution program. Phase 1 examines the extent of book distributions, integrating data from 74 organizations and their branches (297). Using geographic information systems, we determined the spatialized patterns of scarcity and/or opportunity and the alignment between the intended and actual audience. In Phase 2, we conducted nine focus groups from neighborhoods receiving these book distributions. Results highlight the complexities of a well-intentioned policy and how multiple methods might inform policymaking in the future.
Descriptors: Childrens Literature, Reading Materials, Books, Low Income Groups, Urban Areas, Reading Programs, Geographic Information Systems, Beginning Reading, Family Environment, Emergent Literacy, Economically Disadvantaged, Children
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Pennsylvania (Philadelphia)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A