San José Public Library Joins Jumpstart's "Read for the Record"
Making Early Education a National Priority through Record-Breaking Reading Campaign
August
29, 2007 -
San José Public Library is joining Jumpstart's Read for the Record, a national campaign to break the world record for the most children reading the same book on the same day. On September 20, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library will host readings of the official campaign book selection - The Story of Ferdinand - every half hour, from 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM. and 3:30 - 5:30 PM. The goal of Read for the Record is to create awareness about the education gap that exists between socioeconomic levels in the U.S.
Community members are encouraged to bring a child and participate in the readings and other free, interactive learning activities. Those unable to attend in person may still participate by registering at the campaign site www.readfortherecord.org to read The Story of Ferdinand, on September 20; either at home or at other remote locations. In addition to these public events, 33 of the city's Smart Start Centers have registered to participate and read to the children in their care.
Additional public readings will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. the same day at Dr. Roberto Cruz - Alum Rock Branch Library and Tully Community Branch Library.
"Early learning experiences are crucial to the growth and development of young children," said George Askew, CEO of Jumpstart. "Jumpstart's Read for the Record provides an opportunity for everyone in the United States to make early education a national priority."
"There is no denying that socio-economic factors play a part in the varying levels of preparedness evidenced by children entering kindergarten," agrees Dawn Perry, program manager for San José Public Library's Early Care and Education Services, which include Smart Start San José and Books for Little Hands. "Campaigns like "Read for the Record" spotlight the critical need for local investment in the early education of tomorrow's workforce."
San José Public Library's adult literacy program, Partners in Reading, takes proactive steps to prepare youth for academic and future occupational success by providing learning experiences for preschool-aged children of adult literacy learners. AmeriCorps volunteers Tiffany Hayes and Carol Schwarzwaelder currently work with the literacy program and have taken a lead role in coordinating the library's participation. For more information, call (408) 808-2361.
For more information, contact:
• Lorraine Oback, San José Public Library, at (408)
808-2176
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