The Born to Read Project

Our project, Born to Read, is a library literacy program that provides several services to the residents of Pinellas County. The program informs parents about the benefits of reading; encourages reading by distributing developmentally appropriate books; and invites families to use their local library by giving them a free library card and a coupon redeemable for a free baby book when they attend a story time at their local library. The goal of Born to Read is to support at-risk families in understanding their role as their child's first teacher and provide intervention in the chronic cycle of illiteracy and poverty. Through a partnership with health care providers, education partners, our member libraries and community agencies that were already servicing the at-risk community, Born to Read provides intervention to these families to break this cycle. The targeted population considered at-risk in Pinellas County are teen parents, poverty level families, ESOL families and families with special needs.

Illiteracy is a social crisis that affects families in several ways including inadequate health care and poverty. In Pinellas County, one in five adults functions at a low literacy level (third grade reading level or lower). According to the 2003 Florida Literacy Resource Data and Statistics Reference Guide, "Twenty percent of Florida's children under the age of 6 live in poverty and are likely to live in families where the most educated parent has less than a high school education."

The Born to Read Program Consultant provides community outreach programs at health agencies, storytimes at local libraries, and teen parenting classes at local schools. During these sessions, reading to children from birth is emphasized and encouraged. Parents receive information regarding brain development in young children and why reading to them is important in their educational curriculum as well as reading tips and book lists. Parents complete reading logs that assist in establishing daily reading habits with their children. Pinellas County libraries offer over 100 infant and toddler story times monthly to promote brain development in coordination with this program. Our organization strives to meet the need for family literacy. It is documented that "as a mother's education increases, the likelihood that her child will be read to increases."

It is our goal to provide literacy service essential to achievement and success for all members of the family. Born to Read provides these services in the form of teen parenting classes, community outreach programs, storytimes at local libraries and partner health agencies, and through incorporated presentations with the school system. Books that are distributed to the families enable parents to read to children on a daily basis - individuals that would not have been able to purchase books or reading materials for their children based on their income. Without reading and language skills, a child is unable to perform at their highest levels in school or in life. Our family literacy program offers skills for a lifetime.

Coordinator - 727-441-8408
Dyana Broussard

The Born to Read program is brought to you by The Association for Library Service to Children. ALSC is a network of more than 4,000 children's and youth librarians, children's literature experts, publishers, education and library school faculty members, and other adults committed to improving and ensuring the future of the nation through exemplary library service to children, their families, and others who work with children. For more information about ALSC, please click HERE.

A bookmark and a brochure are available for printing.