Ep 9: Mark Feiring, Executive Director, Maryland Book Bank

The Brain Coach

Mary speaks with Mark Feiring, executive director of the Maryland Book Bank. Based in Baltimore, this nonprofit organization is committed to cultivating literacy in children from under-resourced neighborhoods.

The Maryland Book Bank distributes books locally through programs including:

• The Maryland Book Bank Ravens Bookmobile: in partnership with the Baltimore Ravens, this mobile library serves Baltimore neighborhoods where kids can climb on board and select their own books.
• Warehouse distribution programs where teachers, families and educators can pick up books.
• Educator boxes where teachers can bring books directly to kids at school.
• Story kit program, which provides five story books, so children have books of their own.

Mark discusses circumstances that result from children being illiterate. For example, 50% of people in prison are illiterate, and high school students have an increased likelihood of dropping out if they aren't proficient readers by 3rd grade.

The Book Bank team seeks to mitigate these outcomes by supplying children with books. Studies show children are more apt to be proficient readers when they grow up in a literacy positive environment and books have a positive impact on vocabulary.

Be sure to follow the Maryland Book Bank for details on its upcoming Books for Kids Day. This annual service day event collects books from communities state-wide. In previous years, the Book Bank collected 35,000 books in one day.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMarylandBookBank/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mdbookbank/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MDBookBank?lang=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-maryland-book-bank/?viewAsMember=true

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