PFC’s “Change for Change” Program Raised $1,681 for KPL’s Ready to Read Program in March

KPL was selected to be PFC’s (People’s Food Co-op) March “Change for Change” program where shoppers are asked to round up their purchase to the nearest dollar and the “change” is donated to the featured nonprofit of the month. Huge thank you to PFC and the Kalamazoo community for supporting Ready to Read and helping us raise $1,681!

For more than 20 years, KPL has led a county-wide early literacy initiative called Ready to Read which encourages parents and caregivers to share books with children from birth to five years of age. Educational research shows that reading aloud to children is the best way to prepare them for learning to read. We know that children that start kindergarten being familiar with books are more likely to become good readers and achieve academic success. Also, a recent study shows strong evidence that effective book giveaway programs require a 2-generational approach that both supports the parent’s skills and provides the book for the child. Learn more about this study at reachoutandread.org.

Ready to Read collaborates with pediatricians, prenatal and family educators, and many community partners that serve children and families. In 2020, we are expanding this partnership to include six new family practice locations and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Bronson Methodist Hospital.

In addition to providing gift books through community partners, Ready to Read celebrates early literacy annually through an event called Party in the Park. Although we will not be able to host our in-person events this year, we will provide books this fall at two neighboring libraries. See the Children’s section of this issue of Prism for more details on the Fall Party in the Park packet pickup. To learn more about Ready to Read, please visit kpl.gov/children/ready-to-read.