C

hildren who struggle to read often struggle to succeed later in life.

In order to ensure the success of future generations of the community Vicksburg must ensure high literacy rates for its youngest populations.

The primary responsibility for success in this area obviously falls on local schools, but that should just the beginning.

Even if a local school had all the funding it needed and every program in place necessary to help ensure each student can read on or above grade level, parental involvement would still be necessary at the very least.

Because we do not live in that ideal world where schools have all the programs necessary and every child has a parent that is able to read a book to them each night, community members have stepped up to try to curb this issue locally through the introduction of the Little Free Libraries program.

Kay Kay DeRossette, the initiator of the local project, told the Vicksburg Main Street board Thursday the initiative is geared to first through fifth graders to ensure each local elementary school student has a way to have a book to read regardless of their socioeconomic status.

This program is an excellent example of community involvement taking steps to resolve a systemic issue.

Volunteers are needed to donate books, donate funds for supplies for the book nooks, donate funds to register the nooks with the national Little Free Libraries organization, build the book nooks and care for and replenish the books throughout the year.

That’s the definition of community involvement. None of it would be possible without community members deciding to take initiative and make a difference in the literary adventures of a local child.

And we commend you, Vicksburg, for stepping up and taking on the challenge.

DeRossette said five Little Free Libraries is considered a good start for a program just starting up and noted that Vicksburg has already exceeded that number with plans to add more.

Each book or penny donated toward a little free library helps ensure the future of Vicksburg — and that every local child has a bedtime story.