Barbershops all a Buzz with Reading Nooks
Councilmembers Shannon Hardin and Elizabeth
Brown Support a Unique Partnership that Places Books in the Hands of Children
while visiting Barbershops
[COLUMBUS-OH] A buzz cut, clean shave and in-depth
discussions about how dinosaurs go to school are now a-day-in-the-life for
barbers participating in the Barbershop Books program.
On Monday, June 20, 2016, at 7pm, the Ohio State Barber
College, 4614 E. Broad St., will host the initial training session for local
barbers and stylists to learn how to create reading nooks in their shops. The
goal is to increase the amount of time children devote to reading.
The program is a partnership between Columbus City
Schools and Columbus City Council.
“Barbershops are the heart and soul of a neighborhood,”
said Councilmember Shannon Hardin. “This
initiative promotes fun mentorship opportunities for our young people.”
Barbershop Books is a community-based literacy program
founded in New York City that creates child-friendly reading spaces in
neighborhood barbershops, primarily in African American communities. The goal
is to encourage all young people, particularly four to eight-year-olds, to
read. This age range (Pre-K through
third-grade) is a critical period for growing the skills of reading and
comprehension.
City Council passed ordinance 1293-2016, which provides
$6,500 in funding to Columbus City Schools for the Barbershop Books initiative.
“These unique reading nooks will provide another outlet
for a child to pick up a book and read to themselves and with other adults,”
said Dr. Dan Good Superintendent/CEO Columbus City Schools. “Just like any
other muscle in the body, the brain requires exercise to keep it strong and
healthy.”
Columbus City School will now be able to purchase 150
culturally relevant, age-appropriate books creating 10 reading spaces in
barbershops.
Among the 15 curated books at each site might be The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. The
book’s main character is a young male of color experiencing the joys of a first
snowfall. The Snowy Day is considered one of the first picture books aimed at
young children to portray a realistic, multi-cultural urban setting.
“Reading --
inside and outside the classroom -- is fundamental to a child’s growth and
education,” said Councilmember Elizabeth Brown. “Our investment in kids
today directly affects the success of Columbus in the future.”
Research shows easy access to reading materials -
regardless of children’s reading abilities - increases the amount of time they
read for fun. It also creates a unique opportunity for youngsters to be
surrounded by positive role models who are also encouraging them to read.
Participating barbershops include:
- E’voluer Barber Studio - 705 E. Long St, 43203
- Grooves Barber & Beauty Salon - 6533 East
Livingston Ave., 43068
- Ohio State College of Barbers Styling - 4614 E.
Broad St, 43213
- Cut Masters - 2293 Cleveland Ave., 43211
- Gifted Hands Barber Shop - 1424 E. 5th Ave.,
43219
- Unique Image Barber and Beauty Salon - 2410 Home
Acre Dr., 43231
- Pure Elegance Barber & Beauty - 1544
Lockbourne Ave., 43207
- Touch & Agree Barber Shop - 1226 Marion Rd.,
43207
- Righteous Cuts Barber Shop - 2327 Sullivant
Ave., 43204
- Stew’s Barber Shop - 2389 Sullivant Ave., 43204
###