Atlantic City Library Starts Books in Barbershops Program

Atlantic City Library Starts Books in Barbershops Program

Press of Atlantic City: 3.07.2018 by Erin Serpico

In an effort to promote youth literacy in the city, the public library started a program that's bringing books to barbershops.

The program, called Fade to Books, is an effort that's getting children younger than 12 to focus on reading while waiting for a haircut, said Wendell Cherry, a reference librarian and director of the program.

“Reading is so important in the development of a child’s academic life,” Cherry said.

This program began with inspiration from the New Jersey State Library's partnership with the Long Branch Public Library and the Bridge of Books Foundation. Grants became available to libraries around the state to implement the program in local libraries, and the city jumped in.

As part of the program, barbers encourage children who come into the shops to sit and read while they wait. The children can also bring the books home for use, Wendell said.  READ MORE >>