The Wilkes County Public Library has announced a new literacy project called “Wash and Learn,” which will be based at the Wilkes Laundromat in North Wilkesboro, N.C.
The library received a $3,500 Library Science and Technology Act grant to provide an early literacy space at the laundromat.
“This is an effort to help put an end to book deserts in our county and offer fun learning experiences for families who use this laundromat,” said Wilkes County librarian Suzanne Moore. “Laundry is a necessary chore, but not especially exciting or fun for children. Often children come along and are stuck at the laundromat for two or three hours with their parents, while waiting on the wash.”
The library will create a children’s learning and literacy center in a designated area within the laundromat. The reading space will feature small furniture and bookshelves, and it will be stocked with books, crafts, puzzles and other educational activities.
Bilingual books and learning materials will be available to encourage reading among the store’s Hispanic customer base. In addition, literacy tips for parents will be provided.
“I’m looking forward to working with the laundromat to bring this new outreach to Wilkes County, and I’m excited to meet folks from the area who may never have been to the library,” explained Elizabeth Lee, youth services manager for the library. “It’s going to be fun showing off all of the fun stuff we do at the library.”
What’s more, a laundromat literacy bulletin board will be launched as a clearinghouse for local agencies to post information for parents.
“We are anticipating that children will enjoy using the literacy station, and parents who are busy with laundry chores will appreciate the space provided for their children,” Moore said. “We hope parents will spend time interacting with their children at the station and more time reading with their children at home.”
