TCPL Children’s Services Manager Mary Smrek, Public Relations Association Marisa Bleininger, and new mom, Staci Dunn
Mary Alice Reporting –
Over 100 books were provided to babies at Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital.
The Books for Babies Trust was established in 2008 by Betty Lou Honaker and continues to provide the first reading opportunities for newborns.
Tuscarawas County Public Library Public Relations Associate Marisa Bleininger says the partnership with the hospital had another successful year.
“This year with the trust, the library was able to provide 155 books to babies born at Cleveland Clinic Union. Seventy-seven of those this year were bilingual books.”
She notes this program is a great step since reading is important even at birth.
“I think it’s important that we can start reading to our children and put books in their hands as early as we can and get that love for learning as soon as we can.”
Books for Babies is available each year thanks to 90-percent of the interest income used to purchase the reading material and the remaining income and trust fund is reinvested for the future.
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