Driving Literacy: Tulsa's Mobile Book Bus Brings Stories to Underserved Communities

In the heart of Tulsa, Oklahoma, a unique initiative is transforming the way children access books and foster their love for reading. Gaining Ground Literacy, a non-profit organization, has recently upgraded its transportation to better serve the community's literacy needs, ensuring no child is left behind in the pursuit of knowledge.

Empowering Young Minds, One Book at a Time

Reliable Rides for Reliable Literacy

After years of relying on a 1991 school bus, Gaining Ground Literacy recognized the need for an upgrade to maintain their commitment to the community. The new vehicle not only enhances the group's reliability but also symbolizes their unwavering dedication to providing consistent access to books for the children they serve."It has served us well, but it's gotten to the point that we've had to cancel routes a couple of times this summer," said Assistant Director Kirby Mackenzie. "We don't like to cancel. We want our kids to know that if we say we're coming on Wednesday, we will be there on Wednesday at the time we say. We want to make sure that we're a reliable part of their week."The new bus represents a critical step in Gaining Ground Literacy's mission, ensuring they can continue to reach the children in their care without disruption. This investment in reliable transportation underscores the organization's commitment to being a consistent and dependable presence in the lives of the young readers they serve.

Bringing Books to Book Deserts

Gaining Ground Literacy's primary focus is to ensure that all children in the Tulsa area have access to books, especially during the summer months when school-based resources may be limited. To achieve this, the organization has partnered with approximately seven schools within the Tulsa Public Schools and Union districts, allowing them to reach a wide range of communities."We do about three routes per week in the summer, and we see 100-150 kids at each route," Mackenzie explained. "We are looking at, a lot of weeks, at over 500 kids in the Tulsa community. Each kid is encouraged to take at least two books, which means were seeing about 1000 books into the hands of east and north Tulsa kids every single week."By targeting "book deserts," areas where access to books and literacy resources may be scarce, Gaining Ground Literacy ensures that no child is left behind in their educational journey. This mobile book bus serves as a lifeline, bringing the joy of reading and the power of knowledge directly to the communities that need it most.

Fostering a Love for Reading

The Gaining Ground Literacy team understands the transformative power of books and the impact they can have on young minds. By providing children with the opportunity to explore a diverse range of stories and genres, the organization aims to ignite a passion for reading that will last a lifetime."We want our kids to know that if we say we're coming on Wednesday, we will be there on Wednesday at the time we say. We want to make sure that we're a reliable part of their week," Mackenzie emphasized.This commitment to consistency and reliability is crucial in building trust and fostering a love for reading among the children they serve. By showing up week after week, the Gaining Ground Literacy team becomes a familiar and trusted presence in the lives of these young readers, ensuring that they can always count on the book bus to provide them with the stories and resources they need to grow and thrive.