Idaho Commission for Libraries

Publically-funded public or elementary school libraries in Idaho may apply to participate in the Read to Me First Book program. The 2008-09 applications are due May 30, 2008.

The guidelines and requirements and the 2008-09 applications are available here. Please print these documents, complete them, and send them to the Idaho Commission for Libraries by the May 30, 2008 deadline.

The final report for participating libraries can be found in Word or in a PDF format. The new parent survey can be found here in Word.

First Book is a national nonprofit organization with a single mission -- to give children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books. The program provides a book a month for a year for each participating child and workshops for families. In addition to the 12 books each child receives, a goal of the Read to Me program is to provide library cards and contact with librarians for at-risk children. Idaho Commission for Libraries has participated in the program since 1997, contributing 58,960 books to approximately 4,914 children.

This year approximately 800 children in Idaho are receiving a free age-appropriate book each month. Libraries are eligible to participate with LSTA funding for three years and many are able to sustain some type of book give-away program on their own after that time period. In addition to receiving books, First Book families are encouraged to get a library card and learn about all the wonderful resources available through the library. Eight Idaho public libraries were selected to participate in the 2007-08 First Book program (* starred libraries are first-time participants). The libraries are:

East Bonner Co. District Library, Sandpoint* – 120 daycare children birth to age 8
Children's librarian Suzanne Davis does monthly storytime for local daycares and a teen parent program. She will distribute First Books at the storytimes. One change she is making this year is to move the time to afternoon so she can have more interaction with the children who attend after school.

Idaho Falls Public Library – 68 Head Start children ages 3 to 5
Sarah Jackson, head of Children's Services, applied for a second year of First Book, partnering with Head Start and the Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership. Sarah will go to Head Start once a month to do a storytime and distribute books. The library will partner with Head Start during one of their already scheduled parent trainings to reach a majority of parents with information about early literacy in an environment in which the parents are comfortable. Families will also be invited to the library for dinner and stories. A tour of the library and library card sign up will follow.

Nezperce Branch Library (Prairie River District) – 36 daycare children birth to age 8
Working with a local daycare and Head Start, the library will distribute First Books at the library or through home visits. Door prizes and refreshments will be used as incentives for parents to attend a meeting in the fall to learn more about early literacy. A later family event will feature a storybook character program. The Friends of the Library is providing $50 cash match for the project.

Notus Public Library* – 79 children K through 3rd grade
Kindergarten through 3rd grade children in the rural southwestern Idaho community of Notus will be the recipients of First Books through a partnership between the public library and the elementatry school. The library will hold a workshop in September for parents at the school and will also host a Family Reading Week event at the public library in November.

Rathdrum Branch Library* (Kootenai Shoshone Area Libraries) – 80 daycare children birth to age eight The library will partner with a daycare center and the Lakeland School District's developmental preschool program. Books will be distributed at storytimes scheduled at each partner's site. Librarian Sandy Burnett will work with each partner to schedule a workshop in the fall for parents to emphasize the importance of books and reading. Family events will also be planned, featuring books, rhymes, stories and games.

Salmon River Public Library, Riggins* - 46 Head Start and daycare children birth to age 8
The library has three partners: Head Start, Lewis-Clark Early Childhood Program, and a local daycare. They plan to jointly sponsor an open house for parents to acquaint them with the library.

Soda Springs Public Library* – 220 children in Head Start, developmental preschool programs and daycares. Children's librarian Jennifer Ball will visit programsto provide storytimes and distribute First Books. A special evening storytelling/sharing event is planned for parents, and a puppet show will be held for the entire family using a new professional puppet theater purchased by the library with memorial funds. Free library cards will be provided to families who live outside the city limits for the duration of the First Book project.

St. Maries Public Library – 10 daycare children ages 3 to 5
The library will be providing a cash match of $50 for the second year of their First Book project. Librarian Leslee Adams will visit children at the daycare center to read stories, do a craft or activity and distribute books. A special event for families is planned for the fall. Daycare provider Kaye Harney said in her support letter, "The children have enjoyed receiving the books through the program, and I have had parents tell me how much they have enjoyed the quality of the books their child has received. I hear more and more from parents that they are enjoying spending time reading to their children. Parents that didn't take the time to do this before."

Read to Me has sponsored First Book since 1997 as a low key opportunity for libraries to provide community outreach. Over 50 libraries have participated over the past 11 years. For more information about the program, contact Stephanie or Peggy at 1-800-458-3271 or at the e-mail addresses below.

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Contact Stephanie Bailey-White
Contact Peggy McClendon