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A comment on The vandals destroying libraries should have the book thrown at them. Parent comment

Re:The vandals destroying libraries should have the book thr... by krona on Friday December 27, 2019 @12:29PM (#21892671)
I like libraries, in principle.

However, I'm concerned about literacy rates. Access to libraries and literacy are not related. Examine the Pisa rankings, for instance. Furthermore, why is it that literacy rates in Scotland are falling, but rising in England?

Access to a library does not make you interested in reading.

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Re:The vandals destroying libraries should have the book thr... by teh_klev on Friday December 27, 2019 @01:49PM (#21893361)
> why is it that literacy rates in Scotland are falling

This accusation has been doing the rounds in the Scottish press for a while and was debunked:

https://theferret.scot/one-in-five-children-dont-leave-prima...

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Re:The vandals destroying libraries should have the book thr... by justin66 on Friday December 27, 2019 @01:56PM (#21893431)
> Access to libraries and literacy are not related.

I can't speak to the UK but in the US this is demonstrably not true. Libraries are the typical entry point for people who want to take advantage of the programs designed to encourage literacy in children outside of school, and perhaps more importantly the adult literacy programs of a more remedial nature.

> Access to a library does not make you interested in reading.

It sure as hell provides fuel for the fire, provided there is even a small spark.

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