Day 113: National Library Week

We live in an information world, and your local library can open the door to that world.

Whether you are getting your first library card, learning new computer skills, or planning a trip, the library is the place where your story begins.

Since 1958, National Library Week has celebrated libraries' place in American society. This year's celebration also kicks off the Campaign for America's Libraries. With the goal of increasing public awareness of the value of libraries, the campaign will continue through the next five years.

National Library Week is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation’s libraries and librarians and to promote library use. As libraries have faced budget cutbacks nationwide, National Library Week is a time when they can be the focus of positive attention. They're holding a haiku contest on Twitter -- some call it Twaiku -- and celebrating bookmobiles on Wednesday and teen literature on Thursday.

National Library Week not only pays tribute to libraries as centers of learning. It also gives thanks to local librarians for their knowledge and expertise during National Library Workers Day observed every year on Tuesday of National Library Week, this year held on April 12, 2011.

Libraries are there so children and adults can read for free. Libraries can initiate reading for the young reader. Libraries are borrowing centers. One organization helps get books in children’s hands and promotes children literacy, just as libraries do.

Page Ahead operates on one simple and astounding fact: being read to as a youngster is the foremost predictor of academic success in childhood. If a child can read at grade level by 3rd grade, he/she will continue to read at grade level throughout his/her academic career. A child who succeeds in school will remain there, earning a chance at a better job and a better life in the years ahead. A child who lacks early exposure to reading often suffers from low self-esteem, struggles academically, and is at higher risk for substance abuse, teen pregnancy, and delinquency. Succeeding begins with reading.

Children with literacy problems typically come from low-income families, have no books at home, and have caregivers who are not aware of the importance of reading to their children. Yet studies have proven, beyond dispute, that access to age-appropriate books and reading aloud to children are essential to developing language and reading skills.

Page Ahead was founded in 1990, as "Books for Kids" by individuals from the Seattle Chamber of Commerce's "Leadership Tomorrow" program.

Guided by the fact that literacy is essential to lifelong success, Page Ahead provides new books and develops reading activities that empower at-risk children.

Donation $5

To support Page Ahead, please visit:  http://pageahead.org/