It is an experience that children will remember for a lifetime, and one that will form the foundation for all later learning. In many homes, particularly those with adult non-readers, there simply aren't any books, magazines, or newspapers appropriate for young children. Transportation and access can be obstacles for some families. Parents who are unfamiliar with libraries may be unaware that books can be borrowed for free and that librarians can help them select books that are age-appropriate. Librarians also can direct parents with low literacy skills toward picture books and books on tape, also appealing to children who are struggling with reading.
Many libraries offer reading support and story hours for families.
Once again, the parent's education level is significant, though even among the highly educated, library participation is not high. The National Education Goals Panel found that about half of the children of college graduates make monthly trips to the library, compared with less than one-sixth of children whose parents never completed high school. Access to quality reading materials should continue throughout a child's school years. But a 1996 survey found that average book spending for school libraries had frozen in place. In 1998, cash-strapped schools in Seattle found their lack of contemporary titles to be such a deterrent to student reading that a citywide campaign was launched to replenish school libraries.