No room for books

I picked up a copy of the evening standard last night but it is only today at breakfast that I gave it more than a quick glance and the story as I read was shocking about how many children in London don't have books at home... the standard opened the article that will run for the next four days of a teacher who asked the class to bring in a book from home they like on child brought in a catalogue for a major retailer it was the only book in the house. A house without a book is really hard to imagine. And really sad to read that there are so many children growing up not reading not owning a book 

New research, obtained exclusively by the Standard, reveals that one in three children does not have a book of their own at home. By contrast, a separate survey shows 85 per cent of London children own a computer games console (full article here)

I wonder how many in my patch here in vauxhall this effects how many in my new patch that this will effect in Leicester

A  question is forming it's rough not there yet fully how do we respond as a church to this situation. In our call to be a light in the community around us. How can we respond to situation like this... Books are expensive to buy new. But there are many places where they can be picked up at a reasonable price. I recently went into a charity shop and picked up 3 of books in good condition of a well known series for £6. When libraries are closing or like the family in the article never get to go it's always "another time"

Aurella is a captivating young girl, but no amount of charm has been able to persuade her mother to take her to the library. "We pass the library on the bus," she says, "and I always ask, 'Mum, can we go?' but mum says, "Maybe tomorrow, Aurella."

What is our response have a lending library as part of the church... how about a children's book-crossing group or have a shelf in the corner of the church where books can be put and swopped or book-crossed. Have a reading club as part of the church activities get involved with the local schools to go in and read with children.