First Book

Partner Survey

Read to Me First Book provides children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books. The program provides a book a month for nine months for each participating child, and First Book families can participate in a free early literacy workshop. First Book parents also receive a monthly newsletter, "The Bookworm," which suggests tips and strategies to support early literacy skills at home. In addition to providing children with books, a goal of the Read to Me program is to encourage contact between at-risk families and librarians, in order to promote local library services.

The Idaho Commission for Libraries has participated in the program since 1997.

Congratulations to the 22 libraries who will be First Book participants in 2009-2010!

25 Idaho public libraries participated in the 2008-2009 First Book program. With a decrease in state funding this year, 22 libraries were selected for the 2009 - 2010 program, serving approximately 1,800 children. This year applications from two schools, who are partnering with their local libraries, were also accepted. To see a map of all 22 First Book sites, click on the link below.

Map of 2009 - 2010 First Book participating libraries