Money supports ‘Reading Readiness’ at local daycares,
preschools
The Friends of the San Benito County Free Library has received a
$3,000 grant from Target Stores. Grant funding will be used to
purchase books for the
”
Reading Readiness Champions Program,
”
a new library outreach program that will bring library services
to day care centers and Head Starts in San Benito County.
Money supports ‘Reading Readiness’ at local daycares, preschools
The Friends of the San Benito County Free Library has received a $3,000 grant from Target Stores. Grant funding will be used to purchase books for the “Reading Readiness Champions Program,” a new library outreach program that will bring library services to day care centers and Head Starts in San Benito County.
In support of reading readiness and parents reading to children in the home the library’s 32-foot mobile Family Learning Center will offer story time programs and library materials for check-out to children, parents, and day care providers unable to visit the library.
“The ‘Reading Readiness Champions Program’ encourages parents to become involved in reading,” said Nora Conte, County Librarian.
Through the program parents will learn the benefits of reading to their children and receive tips on ways they can prepare their children to be ready to learn to read when they start attending school. In addition children will receive a free book to help in starting their own home library.
“It is through modeling good reading habits by regular visits to the library, reading to your children daily, and establishing a home library that parents promote the idea that learning is fun and establish a learning environment within the home,” Conte said, in a press release. “These are important and basic principles that are needed in building a foundation for academic success for children as they begin the journey of life-long learning.
“We are very pleased to be the recipient of this Target grant and on behalf of all the parents and children that will be positively impacted by this program we thank Target and the Friends of the Library for joining us in supporting reading readiness.”
The San Benito County Free Library is located at 470 5th St., in Hollister. To find out more information about the Reading Readiness Champion Program and other programs the library is offering visit the library’s Web site at www.sanbenitofl.org or call 636-4107.
The Friends of the San Benito County Free Library applied for the Target grant to promote reading readiness. Currently the Friends of the Library is holding a fundraising drive to purchase library materials and technology to help address reductions in the library budget resulting from the current economic downturn. To join Friends of the Library contact Mary Schneider, President of the Friends, at 636-4107.
