Children

3 articles

A young fourth-grade student looking distressed while trying to read a book in a dimly lit classroom, symbolizing the national literacy crisis.

The Library

America's literacy crisis: Most 4th graders can't read proficiently.

Twenty-five million children in the U.

Kenji Tanaka·June 29, 2026

Children of various ages engaged in reading during a summer program in a bright, welcoming library setting.

The Library

Libraries' summer reading programs boost literacy

In New York State, 930 public libraries offered summer reading programs in 2022, engaging over 1.

Kenji Tanaka·June 22, 2026

Diverse group of elementary and middle school students enthusiastically engaging with books, with a hint of the White House in the background.

The Library

Second Lady Vance's Nationwide Summer Reading Challenge

Last year, over 20,000 students across the nation participated in Second Lady Usha Vance's summer reading challenge, vying for a chance to visit the Nation's Capital.

Kenji Tanaka·May 20, 2026