Decision details

Hythe Books for Change - Library Donation - Donating a range of diverse and inclusive books to Hythe public library children's section to support parents, children and teachers challenge inequalities and present positive images of society.

To provide funding of £900 to the above project.

Reason for decision:

To offer local Hythe Library a range of children's books which are inclusive, challenge stereotypes, include positive role models and reflect the reality of our world community in all its diversity. Libraries need a diverse range of fiction and nonfiction, which can offer parents, carers, teachers and children stories that celebrate families in all their diversity, and include books with diverse characters of colour, strong, female protagonists and boys that are not afraid to be different. This

hopefully will support families share books which address inequalities, raise self

esteem and encourage empathy, tolerance, understanding and awareness in our

children. It is important for children to see themselves reflected in books to

encourage their reading as the key to their education as a whole . As a

schools/children's librarian with 40 years experience I am able assist in selecting

appropriate resources. We are collaborating with Kent Libraries on this project and

as their budgets are restricted they have been unable to supply as many books as they would like.

Recent research has shown that only 4% of children's books have BAME characters.

Out of 9115 children’s books published in 2017, only 391 featured BAME characters

(4%). Only 1% contained a BAME main character.

(https://clpe.org.uk/library-and-resources/research/reflecting-realities-survey-ethnic-r

epresentation-within-uk-children) A recent stock survey at Hythe Library, using the

Kent Libraries catalogue, highlighted the fact that of 60 recommended titles Hythe

library had only 10 in stock. (see attached list). Some larger branches had copies and come books were not in stock anywhere within the county. A recent crowdfunder to raise money to offer a similar selection of books to 6 local primary schools has raised over £1,000 to date from local community members ( 24/07/2020) and received support from schools, parents and the wider community on social media with now over 150 followers on social media platforms.