How Libraries Are Encouraging Kids to Put Down Their Phones and Pick Up Books

Ludington Library in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, is hosting numerous events to promote reading among children (photo credit: Sara Adibi)

At a time when books could be overshadowed by devices, Ludington Library in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, is hosting numerous events to promote reading among children. This past week, I visited Ludington Library, where I discussed with the Coordinator of Children’s Services, Laurent Mondon, events they are doing to promote reading and what reading patterns are emerging.

While Ludington hosts numerous events to promote reading, the most common one is Story Time. Story Time is for kids aged 0-4, and it is focused on developing a love for reading among young children, as well as helping them become comfortable in a library setting. In the summer, the library hosts summer reading programs, which encourage all age groups to continue to read throughout the summer. Both of these events are aimed at helping to build a love for reading, whether it is in adults or toddlers. 

In addition to Story Time and summer reading programs, Ludington offers a wide variety of events targeted at different age groups. For instance, there are author talks, Middle School Meetups, where middle schoolers can meet in the library to play board games and take a break from their phones, college admission assistance for high school seniors, a poetry workshop that runs for three months, and a graphic novel book club. 

Mondon said, “Reading is important because, even as cliché as this sounds, it exercises your brain. The more you read, the more you are open to different ideas that are different than your own. It’s always important to be challenged in your way of thinking, and books offer ways to challenge you.” 

In Mondon’s 22 years at Ludington, he has noticed that this generation of kids has had a significant surge in reading compared to other generations. This is because people can use books as a healthy way to take a break from digital devices. In addition, he has observed attendance in the kids’ library skyrocketing at Ludington, mainly due to the Story Times being offered three times a week. He mentioned that Story Time is leading to kids becoming more comfortable in the library and therefore coming in more often. Plus, kids can use this time to meet new friends and develop a love for reading that they’ll carry with them as they get older. 

At least once a month, Ludington and the other libraries in Lower Merion Township have meetings about how best to promote reading and what reading trends or patterns they have noticed. 

Outside of the library, schools in Lower Merion Township are also promoting reading. Alice Yang, a sixth-grader at Black Rock Middle School, said her school uses a teddy bear that is gifted to the classroom that reads the most books each month. In response to whether she thinks reading is prevalent in her school, she said, “Yes, my school has over 15,000 books in our school library, and last year more than 90% of the books had been borrowed at some point in the school year. Everyone I see is also carrying a book around in the hallways.” 

According to Mondon, although digital devices are becoming more prevalent among kids, there’s always a place for books and reading. Ludington Library’s approach and the success of their many community programs shows how true this is, and they’ll continue to engage young kids with the joy of reading so that they grow up to be lifelong readers.