The presence of books in the home greatly influences a child’s academic success. Nearly 25 percent of children in Hillsborough County live in poverty, meaning that children who need these books the most may not have access to them, leading to struggles on their path toward school readiness. Families in at-risk or underserved areas are often limited by a lack of transportation. MILO minimizes that limitation by traveling to the most underserved communities in Hillsborough County. MILO provides free books to children, while working with caregivers to use books as educational tools to boost their children’s academic success.

MILO brings monthly Saturday programs to libraries and Family Resource Centers, arriving in a brightly-wrapped bookmobile which advertises the initiative. The Junior League provides free books, so children in these underserved communities can select fun and interesting titles to begin their home libraries. Library staff, WEDU staff, and Junior League volunteers offer engaging, interactive literacy stations. Children get to meet favorite PBS Kids TV show characters, as well as participate in digital literacy opportunities. These events also encourage families to get a free Hillsborough County public library card, so that community members can take advantage of the library’s services.

Through the MILO initiative, the Library assists in bridging the gap for at-risk and underserved children to reach grade level reading by third grade, a key indicator for academic success. The project hopes to reach 1350 participants through 18 different outreach events, in an effort to bring educational literacy activities to families that otherwise may not have these opportunities and thereby expand the reach of the Library’s current learning experiences. By providing free books, the Library encourages children to build a home library and become lifelong readers and library users.