Listen Live On Demand Schedule
On Now

Morning Edition

  • Mon–Fri 5 a.m.–9 a.m.

NPR's Morning Edition prepares you for the day ahead with two hours of up-to-the-minute news, background analysis, commentary, and coverage of arts and sports
Listen Now
Learn More
Up Next

The Takeaway

  • Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–10 a.m.
  • Mon–Fri noon–1 p.m.

The Takeaway delivers the news and analysis you need to catch up, start your day, and prepare for what’s ahead. You’re invited to learn more and be part of the national conversation, on-air and online, on topics that are important to your life.
Learn More
The Craig Fahle Show

University of Nevada Reno Associate Professor of Sociology Dr. Mariah Evans

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

University of Nevada researcher Mariah Evans has conducted a twenty year experiment on how having books in the home leads to an increased level of education the child will develop. This "book benefit" was seen across countries. It held true regardless of the parent's educational background, the country's Gross Domestic Product, the father's occupation, or the political system of the country. The results are based on data from 73,249 people living in 27 countries, including the United States. They show that having a 500-book library boosted achild's education by 3.2 years on average. "You get a lot of 'bang for your book,'" said study researcher Mariah Evans, a sociologist at the University of Nevada, Reno. "It's quite a good return-on-investment in a time of scarce resources."

Post your questions and comments below.

Photo courtesy of newsroom.unr.edu