The teen pregnancy rate in San Antonio is at an all-time low, but still quite high at 30.2 per 1,000 births; 49% higher than the national rate. Teen parents are more likely to come from distressed communities with low education and income levels. While positive interactions around books support early literacy development, 14.7% of San Antonio residents ages 18-24 have less than a high school education, suggesting that many children might have limited opportunities in the home for such interactions.

Library early literacy experts go to teens where they are, at their schools in parenting classes or in pull-out groups arranged by the campus social worker or counselor. With a respectful approach that honors what pregnant and parenting teens are already doing for their children, staff quickly builds trust and rapport with students. Staff shares tried and true, research-based early literacy practices and a corresponding make-and-take activity for teens to use at home with their children.

San Antonio Public Library has delivered early literacy outreach services to pregnant and parenting teens since 2002. In the 2018-2019 school year, library early literacy experts made 79 visits to area high schools, providing direct service to pregnant and parenting teens at 17 campuses for a total attendance of 423 students. As a result of these visits there are more books for the young children in their homes, increased opportunities for parent-child interaction and an increased awareness of library resources.