In the increasingly digital world we live in, there’s nothing quite as precious as the tactile and interactive experience of reading a good old-fashioned book, and for over 9,000 families in Boston this summer, that's exactly what they got, thanks to the city-wide initiative of ReadBoston's Storymobile.
From July 10 to August 4, the Storymobile visited 51 sites per week across every Boston neighborhood, according to the City of Boston's news article. This innovative program featured a diverse group of professional storytellers, who entertained children aged 3-8 with interactive stories and provided them the opportunity to choose a new book to take home and keep. The Storymobile had stops at various locations, including Boston Public Library branches, BCYF Community Centers, schools, and childcare programs, promoting early literacy and fostering a love for reading among children and familiesallover the city.
According to the City of Boston, there was a 66% increase from the previous year, showing the growing importance of community engagement and early literacy initiatives.
For instance, ReadBoston received a special grant from Colin’s Joy Project that helped provide storytellers and books for almost 900 kids at 15 Storymobile locations in South Boston and Dorchester. The partnership with the Boston Police Department Bureau of Community Engagement brought in an Ice Cream Truck to some locations, presenting a unique way for children to cool off while enjoying their new books.
Furthermore, the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) held their annual meeting in Boston and chose ReadBoston as the beneficiary of their book drive. Through their “Social Responsibilities Special Interest Section,” they generously donated over 300 new books to the program.
