Getting Books in Children’s Hands: Creating a Citywide Book Distribution Policy Using a Mixed-Methods Geospatial Approach

Abstract

Recognizing the academic benefits of access to print for young children, book distribution programs abound in the United States. Designed to promote book ownership for low-income families, programs have unique delivery systems, leading to a largely fragmented policy. This article describes an urban city’s effort to build a coordinated book distribution program. Phase 1 examines the extent of book distributions, integrating data from 74 organizations and their branches (297). Using geographic information systems, we determined the spatialized patterns of scarcity and/or opportunity and the alignment between the intended and actual audience. In Phase 2, we conducted nine focus groups from neighborhoods receiving these book distributions. Results highlight the complexities of a well-intentioned policy and how multiple methods might inform policymaking in the future.

Small Wins and Feeling Good: An Innovative Book Distribution Program

“…Yet, among the families we talked with, whether they used the machine or not, just about every parent knew that it was important to read to their young child. In fact, in a recent survey of 1022 parents, mostly from poor areas (Neuman et al, 2021), we found that over 90% of the parents indicated that reading to their child was "extremely important." But second, and paradoxically, many parents will say they don't have the time to read to their child, even though an analysis of the American Time Use surveys (Phillips, 2011) shows that higher-educated working parents spend roughly 4.5 hours more per week with their child than do mothers with a high school degree or less.…”

Putting the “Mix” in Mixed Methods: How to Integrate Quantitative and Qualitative Research in Early Childhood Special Education Research

“…Thus, the conceptual framing justified the need for a mixed methods approach and illuminated the relationship between quantitative and qualitative data. In another example, Neuman et al (2021) drew on ecological perspectives as well as sociocultural and activity theory in their mixed methods evaluation of a citywide book distribution policy. The researchers explored how the policy was enacted (i.e., what areas received books) and how the target recipients perceived and used the program.…”