Read to Me is launching a new pilot program that allows libraries to deposit and rotate tubs of books and materials in local daycares (details, eligibility, and application below). Here is a short overview:

Program- Libraries will rotate six tubs of books and other materials, each focusing on an early literacy skill, throughout local daycares. Tubs and contents provided by Read to Me.

El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day), known as Día, is a celebration EVERY DAY of children, families, and reading that culminates every year on April 30. The celebration emphasizes the importance of advocating literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

Libraries participating in First Book, Every Child Ready to Read, and mini-grants sites have been invited to participate in the 2-day Read to Me meeting, Showcasing Success. The meeting will be held in Boise at the Oxford Suites on March 5-6, 2009. Libraries need to register by February 5th.

It takes a village to maintain reading gains over the summer! Though this outreach opportunity is coordinated by the public library, the program focus is about active involvement on the school’s part to get their students to participate in the library summer reading program.

Partner with one or more agencies or organizations in your community. Together with your partner organization, plan at least two programs to be held outside the library in June, July and/or August that target underserved children*. You will receive paperback books suitable for your program audience to be given away to children attending the off-site programs.

Get elementary-age children excited about signing up for summer reading! You will receive branded educational materials for each student when a library staff member or volunteer visits one or more schools to promote your Summer Reading program. Classroom visits, assemblies and field trips to the public library count, too!

The Bookworm is a monthly publication of the Read to Me First Book program. This early literacy newsletter is sent home to the parents of children receiving First Books each month, and contains age-appropriate literacy information and activities. It can also be distributed by school and public librarians to parents at storytimes and library events.