Grand Marais Public Library launches early literacy program

Kids whose parents sign them up for the Reading Ready program at the Grand Marais Library will receive a kit that includes a Reading Ready Bookbag, A booklet and stickers to track their reading. Photo submitted by Director Amanda St. John

The Grand Marais Public Library is delighted to announce a reading program for our youngest readers. The Reading Ready program encourages families and caregivers of young children (birth to kindergarten) to build a daily habit of reading by tracking days that they read together for 15 minutes or more. Then, we celebrate milestones from the first 25 days all the way to 1000 days of reading. Research shows that reading with children early and often not only helps build early language skills, but also establishes positive experiences and familiarity with books. This makes it more likely that children will view reading as an enjoyable part of daily life later on.

“Children begin developing literacy from the day they are born,” said Youth Services Librarian Erika Ternes. “We are here to support families every step of the way, whether by celebrating your efforts or by helping you select books to share with your child.”

Parents and caregivers can sign up on the Kids’ Corner section of the library’s website (https:// www.grandmaraislibrary.org/kids.php) or stop by the library for a printed registration form. Thanks to a generous grant from the Library Friends of Cook County, each child who signs up will receive a free welcome kit that includes a Reading Ready book bag, a booklet and stickers for tracking their reading, and a book. After the first 25 days, children can pick out letter patches to personalize their bags with, and then continue to earn decorative patches and other incentives for every 100 days of reading.

The Reading Ready program supports the library’s strategic goal of helping young children in Cook County develop a love of reading and improve their literacy. All families and caregivers of young children are welcome to participate. For more information about Grand Marais Public Library, call 218-387-1140, or visit online at grandmaraislibrary.org.