They say a person on average spends six years of their life waiting in line. The typical wait time at a doctor’s office is 32 minutes. Delays are especially frustrating when children are involved, but we all know time flies when you’re having fun! For Municipal Court Judge and longtime library advocate Rodney Adams, reading is not only fun, but a means to better our community. He presented a partnership idea between the Municipal Courts, the library and the Friends to place baskets of books at establishments where kids often have little to do. By offering books in waiting areas, the program encourages literacy among families that may not visit the library.
In mid-July 2017, the Friends of the Irving Public Library, library staff and Judge Adams came together for an official launch of the Read While You Wait program. Each basket contains 17-20 books that appeal to readers of all ages which they are free to take home. Members of the library's Community Engagement team work with Read While You Wait partners in the Courts and the Irving Police Department to monitor the baskets and keep them filled with engaging materials.
The next time you’re waiting at a business, check to see if a Read While You Wait basket is available. If not, suggest that the staff or manager participate by asking them to contact Sarah Abbasi, Library Services Supervisor, at sabbasi@cityofirving.org.
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