Beaumont Library - Literacy becomes mobile with Beaumont Library’s ‘Ready to Read’ van

Literacy becomes mobile with Beaumont Library’s ‘Ready to Read’ van
Record Gazette: 7.24.2012

The Board of Trustees of the Beaumont Library District announces the arrival of the Ready to Read Van, provided through a grant from the Federal Library Services and Technology Act.

The $90,000 Community Early Literacy Project was created to take early literacy services out of the library to children from birth to five years old.

The services are designed for children at facilities that provide childcare and at preschools throughout the library district. Nearly 2,000 items will be available on the Ready to Read Van for Childcare providers to select from during each visit by the van.

“The Ready to Read Van gives us an option to work more closely with our community on the critical importance of early literacy skill development for young children,” stated Nancy Wood, Outreach Librarian, “We can deliver books, learning kits, and storytime materials, along with training for their use, in an environment where the message of read early and read often has proven of critical importance to ensure children enter their school years ready to learn to read.”

The Ready to Read Van made its local debut appearance in the annual Cherry Festival Parade and was shown off nationally at the American Library Association’s Annual Conference in Anaheim at the end of June.

“The van displays original art provided by Michael Emberley, a children’s book illustrator, whose artwork so clearly captured the joy of reading and the essence of the early learning experience in the book An Annoying ABC by Barbara Bottner,” said Clara DiFelice, Library Director. “We took a chance and asked him if we could use the artwork and were thrilled when he said sure!”

Childcare providers and preschoolers throughout Beaumont and Cherry Valley are encouraged to contact Nancy Wood at the library at (951) 845-3222, to schedule a visit by the Ready to Read Van.