Why We Do What We Do: The Importance of School Libraries in Impoverished Communities

Shreya Hambir
2 days ago
3 min read

At Access Books Bay Area, our mission is to bridge the children’s literacy gap in impoverished communities throughout the Bay Area. The main way we achieve this goal is by refurbishing libraries at schools where over 80% of the student body is socio-economically disadvantaged. Not only do we donate a curated selection of new, diverse books—typically featuring over one thousand titles—but our volunteers go the extra mile to sort, label, and shelve them so they’re ready for students to check out, easing the workload for school librarians. In addition, we refresh the physical space when needed, painting inviting murals to pique students’ imagination and excitement.

People often ask us, “Why school libraries?" After all, most communities offer public libraries where anyone can check out books for free. However, several systemic barriers prevent families in under-resourced communities from taking advantage of their public library, such as lack of transportation and limited hours of operation, which are restricted by available funding. For these families, purchasing books is a luxury they cannot afford. Thus, the school library is typically the only place where students living in poverty can access books.

The school library also offers its own unique advantages. School librarians provide students personalized support in finding books that align with their interests and class curriculums, cultivate relationships with students and faculty, and help them feel more comfortable within the space. Furthermore, books can be curated for the student body, reflecting their diverse cultures and backgrounds: a priority when our team considers which books to donate. According to an article by the Oakland Literacy Coalition, research shows that students in schools with strong library programs have higher standardized test scores, graduation rates, and learning outcomes.

We made sure to add abundant Spanish books to the Garfield Community School Library, for the large percentage of Hispanic students and English Language Learners within the student body.

In spite of their clear advantages, California does not designate funding for school libraries, which means funds are determined on the local level. Schools in low-income neighborhoods don’t have the proper budget to allocate towards school libraries, resulting in fewer books, infrequent maintenance, and sometimes no library at all. Because of this, school libraries we refurbish typically feature dated, worn-down paperbacks and reference books, rather than stories that are relevant today and stoke children’s curiosity and imagination. While factual learning is important, reading for pleasure is what inspires children to become active, lifelong readers, so it’s essential they have access to a high-quality collection they feel excited to reach for and a comfortable space to enjoy them.

*These new books we donated to the Hoover Community School Library feature inspiring stories about trail-blazing women.*

The impact of refreshing school libraries is evident in the responses from students and faculty. Mary Redondo, library media assistant at Stonegate Elementary School, which we refurbished in spring 2024, stated, “The new and current books have transformed our library into a vibrant and inviting hub for reading and learning. Both teachers and students have been thrilled with the diverse selection, which has ignited their imaginations and fostered a lifelong love of literature.” Students also expressed their gratitude for the renovations in handwritten notes, with one student writing, “I can finally read with magic.”