Why is the Branch Improvement Plan so important?
Two words: CHILD DEVELOPMENT.
There is a U.S. census statistic that doesn’t get talked about very much in Albany.
It’s not a good statistic.
Almost 30% of Albany’s school age children (5-18 years) live in poverty. That means for every three kids you see in Albany, one of them is struggling.
How wonderful is it that a neighborhood kid can walk three to five blocks to an Albany branch library and ask the librarian questions, get internet access, browse hundreds of books, magazines and newspapers – ALL FOR FREE.
Internet access, books, magazines and newspapers are luxuries that are just not in the household budget for many of Albany’s poorest families.
I’ve talked to dozens of professionals who came from meager means and I always ask them about the secrets to their success. Very often I would hear a story about a special librarian or a special teacher who opened their eyes to books and reading. I would hear a story about a neighborhood school or a neighborhood library that became a special place. It was a place close by that they could walk to, or ride their bike. In that special place a whole world was opened up – and a child was inspired to dream big and study hard.
Some in Albany are quick to point out that the Albany City Schools have a troubling graduation rate. The Branch Improvement Plan will help every child in the district. The plan will help give our neighborhood kids bigger, better and nicer places to go when school ends for the day.
Working together, the Library and the school district can close the achievement gaps and improve the graduation rate. I believe the Plan is integral to Albany’s success.
Neighborhood libraries are more than just buildings – they are building blocks of equity – they can raise people up and give them a foundation to stand on.
Two words: CHILD DEVELOPMENT.
There is a U.S. census statistic that doesn’t get talked about very much in Albany.
It’s not a good statistic.
Almost 30% of Albany’s school age children (5-18 years) live in poverty. That means for every three kids you see in Albany, one of them is struggling.
How wonderful is it that a neighborhood kid can walk three to five blocks to an Albany branch library and ask the librarian questions, get internet access, browse hundreds of books, magazines and newspapers – ALL FOR FREE.
Internet access, books, magazines and newspapers are luxuries that are just not in the household budget for many of Albany’s poorest families.
I’ve talked to dozens of professionals who came from meager means and I always ask them about the secrets to their success. Very often I would hear a story about a special librarian or a special teacher who opened their eyes to books and reading. I would hear a story about a neighborhood school or a neighborhood library that became a special place. It was a place close by that they could walk to, or ride their bike. In that special place a whole world was opened up – and a child was inspired to dream big and study hard.
Some in Albany are quick to point out that the Albany City Schools have a troubling graduation rate. The Branch Improvement Plan will help every child in the district. The plan will help give our neighborhood kids bigger, better and nicer places to go when school ends for the day.
Working together, the Library and the school district can close the achievement gaps and improve the graduation rate. I believe the Plan is integral to Albany’s success.
Neighborhood libraries are more than just buildings – they are building blocks of equity – they can raise people up and give them a foundation to stand on.
Please feel free to contact me at 489-2393 or abechard@gmail.com
Please vote Tuesday, May 15. Polls are open from 7 AM to 9 PM.
I am asking for your vote
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