Barbershop Books Boosts Literacy Across United States
The national nonprofit partners with barbershops to provide engaging reading material for young children during their haircuts.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Education — General
Live Poll
Do you believe community-based literacy programs are effective at improving student reading habits?
Founded by Alvin Irby, the Barbershop Books initiative operates in nearly 60 cities to foster literacy among young boys. The program curates a monthly list of 10 books to place in participating barbershops across the United States.
Why it matters
The program addresses a literacy gap by helping children identify as readers through engaging content. By utilizing community spaces, the initiative seeks to replace negative associations with reading while providing children with access to Black male role models.
The program curates 10 books for participants each month across its network of 260 partner barbershops. Nationally, less than 2% of K-12 teachers are Black men, highlighting the scarcity of this demographic in the classroom.
The players
Alvin Irby
He is the founder of Barbershop Books and a graduate of the Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.
The details
The initiative encourages reading by making books readily available in barbershops, spaces where children often wait for haircuts. It aims to bridge the gap created by the underrepresentation of Black male educators, as fewer than 2% of K-12 teachers in the United States share that identity.
Timeline
Alvin Irby graduated from the Wagner Graduate School of Public Service in 2015.
Data regarding Black 4th grade reading levels was measured in 2024.
An interview discussing the nonprofit was published on October 29, 2026.
Culture Shift
This initiative represents a departure from traditional school-based literacy interventions by meeting children in communal spaces. It aligns with efforts to improve performance relative to the National Assessment of Educational Progress reading achievement levels.
Families in participating cities can access free reading material for their children during routine visits to the barbershop. This creates an opportunity for parents to integrate consistent reading habits into their daily routines without needing to visit a library.
The takeaway
Providing books in community-centered locations can effectively increase interest in reading among young boys. Parents and caregivers can look for local community programs that integrate education into non-traditional settings to support long-term literacy development.
Further reading
For more on educational initiatives, visit the Education — General section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Washington Square News.
Live Poll
Do you believe community-based literacy programs are effective at improving student reading habits?
