Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Community Book Club

The following is a summary about the "Mayors (Community) Book Clubs" program which has been successful in several cities. The article is from the September 28, 2009 issue of the Nation Cities Weekly:

The project is an effort to develop community-wide early literacy. It is to promote school readiness among children well before first grade. Special components may include free and new books and literacy materials for families of young and school-age children, parent education classes, efforts to expand access to community-based early education resources and public events at which a community leader reads a book to children.

A brainstorming session for the Community Literacy Plan occurs to develop goals which focuses on strengthening local partnerships with schools, public libraries and community partners and developing methods to reach more children in the community while involving parents and older children.

Reading can be used as a means for problem-solving. With older students as mentors, they will be reading to young children and serve as peer leaders on such topics as the importance of helping others, staying healthy (preventing the flu, e.g.)and preparing for and succeeding in school and college. Senior citizens are also encouraged to read with children.

Since there is no library located in Rockford with the closest one being five miles away in Faifield, this would be a great community effort to engage everyone in encouraging and helping our youth to succeed in school and also become future leaders. A lending library is curently being created through the Rockford Community Center (RCC) group. Stay tuned for more information.

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