About the library > News Releases > Ready to Read Grant enriches library outreach to children
Ready to Read Grant enriches library outreach to children
January 9, 2009
Contact:
- Ellen Fader, Youth Services Coordinator, 503.988.5408
- Renea Arnold, Early Childhood Services Supervisor, 503.988.5458
PORTLAND, OR – Multnomah County Library has received a $114,356 Ready to Read Grant to enrich outreach services to local children. Funds from this state grant support the library's early literacy programs for children from birth to kindergarten, as well as summer reading programs for babies, children and teens.
The Ready to Read Grant was established by the 1993 Oregon Legislature and is administered by the Oregon State Library. “The most important mission of our public libraries,” said State Librarian Jim Scheppke, “is to help every Oregon child grow up to be a proficient reader.”
The Ready to Read Grant was established to assist local libraries in helping achieve the Oregon Benchmarks for childhood learning and development. The impact of the grant program is measured annually by the percentage of libraries adopting best practices in their services to children. Best practices include summer reading programs, training for parents and childcare providers in research-based early literacy curriculums, and outreach to children and teens who face barriers getting to the library. Of all libraries that received the 2007–2008 Ready to Read Grant, 38 percent implement all three best practices, including Multnomah County Library.
