Every week, my four children and I go to our local public library and check out dozens of books. We’re certainly not alone: The library is usually packed with children, parents, babysitters, and grandparents. Our public library is a vital community resource, and it is more than doing its part to get children reading books. Unfortunately, it’s fighting an uphill battle: The statistics are pretty grim. In 1984, 70 percent of 13-year olds said they read for fun at least once or twice a week. By 2023, that number had dropped to 36 percent, according to the National Center for Education Statistics—and college professors are increasingly befuddled by students who arrive on campus unable to tackle lengthy and complex reading assignments.
