2024 IBBY-Asahi Reading Promotion Award

The winner of the 2024 IBBY-Asahi Reading Promotion Award is ATD Fourth World Street Libraries, nominated by IBBY France.

Books, stories, music, and artistic activities make Street Libraries places where discovery and creativity grow into lifelong learning skills for children and families living in under-resourced communities. Over 60 ATD Street Libraries can be found throughout France, the majority being located in “priority neighbourhoods” as defined by the French Government. ATD stands for « Agir Tous pour la Dignité » or « All Together in Dignity ». The programme has grown out of ATD Fourth World's conviction that the most effective way to support children to break out of the cycle of poverty is to nurture their desire to learn, and to assist in the development of their creativity.

The format is simple: colourful blankets on the ground, a communal time of reading stories, and activities promoting discovery, highlighting skills, and encouraging creative expression. Behind the simplicity, however, are rigorous methods. Street Library volunteers from outside the community arrive at the same time every week, week after week. They invite all children, but keep a special eye out for those with the most difficulties. They solicit and rely on input and support from parents and other community members. They prepare achievable activities with quality materials.

A wide host of people from various horizons give some of their time at least once a week to share ideas and their passion for books at these Street libraries. The regularity of their presence helps to build trust with the families living in these low-income communities and that struggle with persistent poverty. The regularity of their presence also enables volunteers to comprehend the children’s hunger for education and learning and the courage and determination of their parents.