SARASOTA COUNTY – Sarasota County is celebrating two decades of the successful Born to Read early literacy program with a special event at the Gulf Gate Public Library 8-9:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 8. Established by library staff and community partners in 1999 and modeled after the national initiative, Born to Read promotes the importance of early literacy activities by working with families to raise awareness of available library resources and parent-initiated activities that nurture the learning capacity for babies. Sarasota County works with more than 30 community partners as part of the program, including health and childcare providers, to support parents with children aged five and younger. According to the national Born to Read initiative, the program began with ground-breaking research on the early development of the brain and the relatively narrow window during which learning capacity is established. The research was applied to emergent literacy practices and libraries across the nation invited community partners to support the effort to engage parents. “The development of early literacy skills is vitally important for children,” said Sarabeth Kalajian, director of Libraries and Historical Resources. “Along with the help of our partners, this program ensures that families have access to quality children’s books and they feel welcome at our 10 libraries. The program also helps parents confidently assume their role as their baby’s first teacher.” Representatives of the community partner agencies, along with library staff, will be at the celebration,Gulf Gate Public Library, 7112 Curtiss Ave., Sarasota. For more information, call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 941-861-5000 or visit scgov.net. Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net (keywords: ADA compliance) |