The relationship is clear: The more books a family owns, the greater the educational gains are for children.

Mariah Evans, a sociologist at the University of Nevada-Reno, headed a 20-year, worldwide study that found “the presence of books in the home” to be the top predictor of whether a child will attain a high level of education – more significant than parents’ education, occupation, or class. On average, kids growing up amid an abundance of books get three more years of schooling than those from bookless homes.

Evans examines those findings and sits down with Library Director Crosby Kemper III for a public conversation on the issue.