Local bookstores advocate for reading to combat declining U.S. literacy

National literacy rates in the United States are declining, with data from the National Center for Education Statistics indicating that 1 in 5 adults, approximately 43 million people, possess low literacy skills. This condition is defined as a limited ability to read, write, and comprehend text sufficiently for daily life.

Local bookstore owners in Idaho Falls suggest that reincorporating reading into daily life—regardless of the medium, such as comics or novels—can help maintain literacy levels. Business owners emphasize that reading contributes to better economic, social, and emotional outcomes later in life.

Beyond education, local bookshops serve as community and intellectual hubs. Economically, supporting local retailers keeps more money within the community; data from American Express suggests that 67 cents of every dollar spent at a local store remains in the community, compared to 45 cents spent at corporate stores.