| Traveling
the paths of our lives is easier with good books and good friends.
Both can inspire, console, entertain, challenge and inform.
They can improve and enrich our lives immeasurably.
That's why
Windham County Reads is doing its
best to bring books and the joy of reading to area residents
~ the young, the old, and all those in between.
When books
and people come together, a bit of magic often happens: a smile
of encouragement,
a conversation, a friendship is born. And that can make all
the difference. |
|
Mission
Statement:
Windham
County Reads is dedicated to bringing families and books together
and inspiring people of all ages to become avid lifetime readers.
Goals
•
Create highly visible reading initiatives for the entire population
of Windham County
•
Respond to the literacy needs of at least five hundred children a year
•
Develop collaborations that identify and address area literacy needs
School
and Library Based Programs
| |
Books
& Breakfast
brings community volunteers into seven elementary schools to read
to 250 children during school breakfast, and children receive new
books at the fall and spring reading celebrations. This program
is a model for other Vermont towns, such as Rutland and Barre. |
| The
March Reading Challenge encourages
close to 10,000 children and adults to set personal reading goals
and begin reading daily. Concluding with a free celebration featuring
1,500 locally donated prizes and entertainment for all participants,
the March Reading Challenge has been replicated in communities throughout
New England. |
|
| |
Summer
Reading Lists for
all ages, complete with annotations, are created and distributed
to the families of 6,000 students each May through Windham County
schools and libraries. |
| The
Red Clover Award
was designed by Windham County Read to help children (grades K-4)
develop a lasting appreciation for excellence in writing and illustration.
Now a statewide program with over 25,000 children participating,
this children's choice picture book award is co-sponsored by the
Vermont Center for the Book and the Vermont Departments of Libraries
and Education. |
|
Community
Based Programs
| The
Bellows Falls Literacy Patch Project brings
service providers and recipients together to create a community
of readers. This collaborative effort led by Windham County Reads
is involved in area school reform efforts and has initiated many
programs and events, including Cradle to Cubby, the Family Book
Bag Program and the Greater Falls Family Literacy Fair. |
|
| |
The
Bookmobile
brings story times and books to the doorsteps of children and adults
who do not use their local public library. During the past year
10,650 books were circulated to 1,310 patrons, and many of the young
school-aged children who used the Bookmobile over the summer maintained
or improved their reading skills. The Bookmobile has become a model
for library outreach throughout the state. |
Donations
and volunteers are always welcome!
Windham
County Reads
PO Box 2276
W. Brattleboro, VT 05303
802 257-5725
wcreads@sover.net
|
