TED Talks Daily A street librarian's quest to bring books to everyone | Storybook Maze
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Jun 29, 2024 
Storybook Maze is a self-proclaimed radical street librarian on a mission to make books accessible to underserved communities. She shares her innovative initiatives, such as free book vending machines and captivating street corner story times. Listeners hear inspiring stories about transforming book deserts into vibrant literary landscapes. Maze discusses her journey from grassroots reading programs to overcoming barriers in traditional library systems, encouraging everyone to embrace the role of a street librarian and connect communities through the power of literature.
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Stoop Story Time Origin
- Storybook Maze began reading to her nieces on her stoop, attracting other neighborhood kids.
- The children's lack of books at home inspired her street librarian journey.
Library Barriers
- Storybook Maze realized that library barriers prevent many children from accessing books.
- This led her to quit her job and become a radical street librarian.
Book Deserts and Inequality
- Book deserts exist in low-income areas where book access is limited.
- A study showed a stark contrast in book availability between affluent and low-income areas in Philadelphia.