Columbus Metropolitan Library launches Ready to Read Corps: Nationwide Insurance Foundation joins the effort with $500k grant FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 4, 2010 CONTACT: Kim Snell, Media Relations TELEPHONE: (614) 849-1046 or 769-8505 EMAIL: KSNELL@columbuslibrary.org Thanks to generous contributions from United Way, the Siemer Family Foundation and JPMorgan Chase, Columbus Metropolitan Library has officially launched the first Ready to Read Corps in the Greater Parsons and Weinland Park community.

“Our Ready to Read Corps was formed out of the belief that every parent is their child’s first teacher,” said Patrick Losinski, executive director. “In our community, we realize that some parents might need a little extra support in order to ensure their child is ready for kindergarten. For years, we have focused on early childhood literacy by incorporating the six pre-reading skills into all of our interactions with children and parents. Now we are taking the Ready to Read concept to a new level with our Ready to Read Corps.”

The Corps is two full-time CML staff members who go out into the community to teach parents and caregivers of low-income families the six pre-reading skills; provide greater access to books and materials; and collaborate with area agencies to be on site with the community. The belief is that if we are going to reach families and children who are the most at risk, we have to go beyond our library walls to do it. “For some time, there has been a broad spectrum of people raising the concern about early childhood literacy,” Losinski said. “Improving high school graduation rates doesn’t start with a GED. It starts at the critical 2 and 3 years of age. We are so fortunate in this community to have partners who understand the importance of at-risk early literacy, who not only support it, but make it happen. “And the news keeps getting better and better,” Losinski continued. “We are proud to announce today that the Nationwide Insurance Foundation has stepped up to support this effort and fund a second Corps team as well as a new bookmobile with the incredibly generous grant of $500,000. This Corps will focus on the Linden community.

“Corporate America is also learning that urban libraries are uniquely positioned to do this work -- we have the locations, staff and skill to do it effectively and well” Losinski continued.”This is great news for CML, since our staff is so skilled in the Ready to Read curriculum.” Columbus Metropolitan Library plans to have the second Ready to Read Corps out in the community later this year.

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