Altoona launches My First Library program

Eligible children who enroll will get free book in the mail every month

There's no better gift that can be given to a child than the gift of reading to them, according to Jennifer Knisely, the Altoona Area Public Library's executive director.

Because some children don't have books in their homes, the library partnered with the Altoona Area School District Foundation to launch the My First Library program, a partnership between the district and Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.

According to Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction & Elementary Programs Haley Fleegle, children 5 years old and younger, who reside within the 16601, 16602 and 16603 ZIP codes, are eligible to enroll in the program to receive a free book in the mail every month.

If a child is enrolled in the program from birth, he or she can receive up to 60 books by the time they complete the program at age 5, Fleegle said, noting there are 3,132 children living within the eligible geographic areas.

Fleegle said birth to age 5 is a critical time in a child's life to set them up for future success, as 90% of brain development occurs within the first three years of life.

"Having the program available to families in the Altoona Area School District ZIP codes will highlight our mission to improve early childhood literacy by creating an opportunity for families to engage with their children positively through literacy," Fleegle said.

"The connection that families create through sharing these experiences is a gift that every child should have the opportunity to receive," she said.

Paula Foreman, the foundation's executive director, said reading to her children was one of the greatest gifts she had as a mother.

"We all understand the importance of early childhood literacy," Foreman said, adding the idea of receiving a free book each month is exciting and empowering for young children.

At a kickoff event for the program Thursday at the Altoona Area Public Library, U.S. Rep. John Joyce, R-Altoona, read "The Little Engine that Could" by Watty Piper to about 30 children from the Learning Express Preschool's Pre-K Counts program.

Joyce said he was excited for the children as they all received a copy of the book and certificates for being the inaugural participants in the program. They also received Altoona Area Public Library cards to check out additional books from the library.

Families can register for the program for free through the foundation's website, www.aasdfoundation.org and clicking on Dolly Parton's Imagination Library under the foundation projects tab.

The AASD Foundation and the Altoona Area Public Library have committed to fund the program's initial launch, according to a press release.

Knisely said they're hopeful for an "awesome turnout" in the initial registration phase.

Fleegle said donations to the program can be made via the foundation's website or by contacting the district at 814-946-8424.

It costs $27 to provide one child with Imagination Library books for one year and $135 to sponsor a child's entire library, consisting of 60 books, which they'll receive in the mail over a period of five years.

Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.