Charlotte, NC – July 17, 2008 – What happens when you combine a classic way to provide books to the community with IBM-sponsored technology and a psychedelic splash of color? You get the Public Library’s new mobile literacy program.

“Our goal is to reach children and families who are not benefiting from the Library’s very successful Summer Reading program because they simply can’t get there or don’t find their way to libraries for a variety of reasons,” said Director of Community Engagement Karen Beach.

The vehicle has been making test runs for about a month and visits children living in neighborhoods surrounding Allenbrook and Druid Hills elementary schools. At these two targeted school locations, 90-95 percent of the students are in the free or reduced lunch program.

The library’s Mobile Literacy Outreach Vehicle entices kids with the look, feel and sound of an old-fashioned ice cream truck. As the children gather near the truck, library staff set up a mini-library around them complete with chairs and tables, the chance to use computers and the Internet, and a free book.

IBM donated Eight Thinkpad laptop computers and Reading Companion software as part of its commitment to community education. Reading Companion is IBM’s web-based literacy program that uses novel speech-recognition technology to help adults and children gain and increase literacy skills. Reading Companion’s innovative software “listens” to users as they read out loud into a microphone, and provides feedback, enabling emerging readers to practice reading and pronunciation as they acquire fundamental reading skills.

Users log on to the Reading Companion web site and are presented with material to read. An on-screen mentor, or companion, “reads” a phrase to the user and then “listens” to the user read the material through a headset microphone. Based on what was heard, the companion either provides positive reinforcement or an opportunity for the user to try reading a word again. As the user’s skill improves, the technology reads less material so that the learner reads more.

The public is invited to celebrate the success of this new venture on July 22, from 4 – 6 p.m. at Druid Hills Elementary School located at 2801 Lucena Street in Charlotte. The library’s executive staff, including Director Charles Brown will don ice cream caps and aprons to help distribute ice cream to kids of all ages. Free ice cream will be supplied by Blue Bell Creameries


Founded in 1903 as a Carnegie Free Library, PLCMC has become one of the premiere libraries in the country with 24 locations, 1.6 million volumes, and 28,000 videos, DVDs and CDs. The library sponsors a variety of community-based programs – from computer- and Internet-education workshops to the award-winning Novello Festival of Reading, a celebration that accentuates the fun of reading and learning. As a public library, we are dedicated to our mission of expanding minds, empowering individuals and enriching our community.

Image mobile01: A preview of the library's new mobile literacy vehicle.

Image mobile02: Library staff member Vanranrat Torok assists kids with the mobile literacy vehicle in the background.

Image mobile03: Library Director Charles Brown passes out books to children and caregivers.