Assistance League of Austin has announced the donation of a new book van, affectionately named Alvan, to the Austin Independent School District to enhance the district's summer reading program. Valued at $55K, Alvan will serve as a resource for students in Title 1 schools and areas of East Austin where access to reading materials is limited.
For the past ten years, the Book Bus program has aimed to combat what educators call summer slide, where students experience a decline in reading proficiency during the summer months. Studies suggest that children need to read five books during summer break to maintain their reading levels. This initiative focuses on students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, but books are available for all ages, from birth to 18. Students who visit the program choose their own books.
"Research indicates that summer reading is crucial to closing the achievement gap, particularly among low-income students," said Shannon Pearce, AISD Library Coordinator. "By providing access to high-interest, new books, we empower students to keep reading over the summer and prevent the loss of progress they made during the school year. This year, we’re excited to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Book Bus program alongside ALA’s 50th birthday with this important initiative."
The Book Bus program will run throughout the summer, traveling within the AISD district boundaries to ensure that the van reaches communities in need. AISD is committed to providing a curated selection of new books, allowing students to select titles that resonate with their interests, thereby enhancing their motivation to read.
“Alvan, coupled with our annual $5K donation for new books since program inception, represents our dedication to literacy and equity in education,” added Linda Noy, ALA President. “We believe that every child deserves access to books, and this initiative is a step toward closing the reading gap that disproportionately affects students from different income levels.”
For more information about the Book Bus program and learn how you can support literacy initiatives in Austin, see austinisd.org/library-media-services/buford-the-book-bus
Assistance League of Austin is a volunteer-run nonprofit organization that donates to the Austin community through various philanthropic programs. For 50 years, ALA has worked to support children and their families. To learn more, visit assistanceleague.org/austin/
