Is Fundamental, an organization that has been promoting literacy in the United States for more than 30 years, has expanded internationally, adding programs in the United Kingdom and Argentina. Reading Is Fundamental was established in 1966, and is associated with the Smithsonian Institution. RIF works with local groups to promote reading among young people. This year, RIF will distribute an estimated 13 million books to more than 4 million children across the United States through a network of some 240,000 volunteers. By the end of 2000, RIF will have placed 200 million books into the hands and homes of youngsters throughout the United States.
Volunteers select and buy inexpensive books that are given to children at periodic book events.
These book events can involve storytellers, costumed characters, guest readers, or visits by local authors. The books are distributed through 5,400 RIF programs located in 17,000 schools, libraries, Head Start programs, parks, community centers, and clinics. These RIF programs are in all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. Because of the success of the program in the United States, literacy advocates in Argentina and the United Kingdom decided to replicate the program in their countries, says William Trueheart, president of RIF in the United States. Each of the countries has created a self-sufficient program with its own structure and governance.