The Des Moines City Council is considering funding a campaign to raise early literacy. The Des Moines Public Library asked the city for money from the American Rescue Plan Act. They want to hire outreach staff to promote reading in preschools, classrooms, and daycares. The Iowa Department of Education reports Des Moines is among the worst in the metro in English Language Arts student progress.The Des Moines Public Library director, Sue Woody, said it’s important to get books into the hands of kids.”This is crucial for our city,” Woody said. “We want a community that is educated and ready to take on all of the challenges of the future, this is economic development and the advancement of our city.”The library is requesting $1 million over the next three years from ARPA funds for the initiative. Council members will make their decision in the coming weeks.
The Des Moines City Council is considering funding a campaign to raise early literacy.
The Des Moines Public Library asked the city for money from the American Rescue Plan Act.
They want to hire outreach staff to promote reading in preschools, classrooms, and daycares.
The Iowa Department of Education reports Des Moines is among the worst in the metro in English Language Arts student progress.
The Des Moines Public Library director, Sue Woody, said it’s important to get books into the hands of kids.
“This is crucial for our city,” Woody said. “We want a community that is educated and ready to take on all of the challenges of the future, this is economic development and the advancement of our city.”
The library is requesting $1 million over the next three years from ARPA funds for the initiative.
Council members will make their decision in the coming weeks.
