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Educators constantly strive for student success, but there is still an achievement gap. To help combat this, students need educational resources outside of the classroom, and home libraries can be just the thing.

During the edLeader Panel “The Power of Home Libraries: From Research to Results,” three district leaders discussed the benefits of home libraries and shared their experiences leveraging home libraries to boost student achievement.

Research shows that home libraries, even small ones, reduce learning loss over breaks, increase vocabulary, literacy, and numeracy rates, and help students succeed in school and as adults. Homes—like classrooms—are learning environments, and caregivers are teachers. Having books in the home gives families opportunities to connect with kids and lets kids develop academic skills. It also strengthens kids’ imaginations and lays the foundation for academic success.

Early literacy is crucial to later success, so if kids are struggling with reading by the end of second grade, they’ll continue struggling later on. Without outside-of-school literacy time, kids lose opportunities to grow and develop the skills they need from an early age. Reading at home, in addition to classroom reading, helps solidify language arts and literacy skills.

Family involvement is an important part of student success, so families need access to resources to support and engage children at home—which is why many PreK schools and maternity hospitals give parents books to read to their children. Also, having books at home gives families something to talk to their children about, which allows parents and caregivers to understand what kids are reading and how to encourage them.

If schools want reading at home to be a year-round habit, they need to make it part of their strategic plan and goals. Engaging the community with after-school events, reaching out to community organizations, and providing families with books helps foster a love of literacy and make it part of the community culture.

Schools can talk to the community about the benefits of literacy plans, allowing the community to become invested and get involved in the goal of reading as a culture. Before school even starts for the year, bring in families to tell them what to expect and what they can do at home to help kids read more, such as activities around reading to make it more enjoyable for kids.

Providing books over the summer for families to keep lets them become more invested in reading because, when a family owns a book, they’re more likely to read and discuss it than if they have to return it. Giving students books also creates a sense of joy and makes them want to read, which leads to more students reading at grade level while reducing backsliding over the summer. Schools reaching out to families over the summer about their reading further cements reading as part of the culture.

Schools can also reach out to prominent community members, clubs, and organizations to make reading even more a part of life that everyone can be involved in. And, when schools engage with families to see what does and doesn’t work, it shows that they care about building a welcoming, trusting relationship with families.

To get started building home libraries, schools should begin by looking at the evidence to find where the student equity gaps are and what can be done to address those gaps. Reaching out to families, addressing their needs, and getting books to them gives them the support they need to help their kids succeed. Emphasize the excitement of home libraries to families and how they can benefit everyone.

Home libraries are powerful tools. Not only do they help students succeed in school but they also bring families together. Putting books in the home opens doors to a brighter future for students.

Learn more about this edWeb broadcast, The Power of Home Libraries: From Research to Results, sponsored by Scholastic Education.

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Article by Jon Scanlon, based on this edLeader Panel