In July 2019, Pittsburgh preschoolers received their first round of free books from the City of Pittsburgh’s partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
About
The free book program – in conjunction with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the Benter Foundation, and the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania – mails all eligible children an age-appropriate book every month up until their fifth birthday. In February, legislation was introduced to Pittsburgh City Council to accept $250,000 from the Benter Foundation to establish the Pittsburgh program.
In early July, the first shipment of books was sent out to 1,402 children who were enrolled in the program at the beginning of June. Another 400 children have been added to the program since then and will receive their first books in coming weeks. All children receive “The Little Engine That Could” as their first book, as it is Dolly Parton’s favorite.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the program, preschoolers must:
- Be a resident of the City of Pittsburgh
- Have a parent or guardian fill out an official registration form
- Notify the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania of any address changes
Sign Up
To sign up for this program, visit the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library website.
More Information
For instructions, frequently asked questions, and more, visit the City of Pittsburgh’s website.
*Information provided by the City of Pittsburgh
Families and caregivers with young children are invited to join Reading is Fundamental (RIF) Pittsburgh at the Homewood-Brushton Family Support Center for their Storymobile visits!
About the Storymobile
Storymobiles are libraries-on-wheels; taking stories, activities, books, and literacy resources to early childcare centers, pre-k and kindergarten classrooms, afterschool programs, public housing communities, and community events across Pittsburgh.
Focused on kindergarten readiness, Storymobile programming is designed to introduce young students to the joy of reading; expose them to challenging subject matter, including math and science themes, in a way that they embrace and enjoy; and reinforce skills recommended by state and federal curricula.
All children that participate with Storymobile will be signed up for the Books for Keeps program, enabling them to select a book to take home and keep four times throughout the year.
Learn More
To learn more, contact RIF Pittsburgh at 412.321.8022 or email info@rifpittsburgh.org.
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*Information provided by Reading is Fundamental Pittsburgh
Reading Is FUNdamental Pittsburgh is seeking volunteers for its Everybody Wins! program.
About
Everybody Wins! is a school-based literacy mentoring program that pairs kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-grade students with a caring adult to build a meaningful relationship while sharing conversation, good books, and literacy-related activities for one hour a week. These consistent, one-on-one experiences increase a child’s opportunity for success, both academically and in life.
Help an elementary student build literacy skills and develop a lifelong love of reading by volunteering as a mentor today!
Volunteer
Interested in volunteering? Sign up by contacting:
Nora Peters, Program Director
412.321.8022, ext. 298
npeters@rifpittsburgh.org
Learn More
To learn more, visit the Reading is FUNdamental Pittsburgh website.
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Join the Allegheny Land Trust at the Frick Environmental Center on June 28 for a hands-on course that explores opportunities to incorporate nature-themed books in your early childhood classroom.
About
This hands-on course provides early childhood educators with the knowledge and skills needed to incorporate nature-themed books into their classrooms. Games, dramatic play, songs, craft, and lesson themes will all be explored! PQAS hours are available and ACT 48 hours are available for an additional $5 fee.
Registration
To register, visit the event website.
Questions
For questions, contact the Allegheny Land Trust at 412.741.2750 or info@alleghenylandtrust.org.
Beginning June 17, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will offer free summer meals/snacks to Pittsburgh youth on weekdays through August 23.
About
In summer 2019, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will continue its participation in the Summer Food Service Program in order to ensure even more Pittsburgh youth have access to free food during summer vacation. Meals and activities will be provided during times listed below while supplies last and are for youth ages 18 and younger, and for persons with disabilities up to age 21.
Meals are being offered locally in collaboration with Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and Pittsburgh CitiParks as part of the federally funded Summer Food Service Program.
Program Schedule
This program is available Monday – Friday at the following locations (unless otherwise specified):
More Information
For questions, contact the Library of Pittsburgh via phone at 412.622.3114.
*Information provided by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Join Buzzword Pittsburgh on Wednesday, June 19 for Talk & Play in Hazelwood! This event is free for learners ages five and under, with their caregivers, and will include activities that enhance vocabulary and literacy skills. Dinner will be provided.
More Information
For more information, contact Jan Jones at jan@tryingtogether.org.
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On April 27, 2019, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto announced that a new program will offer free monthly books to Pittsburgh children from birth to age five. The program is currently accepting applications from parents and guardians.
About the Program
The free book program – in conjunction with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the Benter Foundation, and the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania – will mail all eligible children an age-appropriate book every month up until their fifth birthday. Participating children will receive their first book through the U.S. Postal Services six to eight weeks after the registration form has been received.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the program, preschoolers must:
-
- be a resident of the City of Pittsburgh,
- have a parent or guardian fill out an official registration form, and
- notify the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania of any address changes.
Registration
To sign up for this program, register your children online via the Imagination Library website!
Interested in mailing in or submitting your registration in person? See their webpage for more details.
More Information
For any questions, please contact Tiffini Simoneaux via email (tiffini.simoneaux@pittsburghpa.gov) or phone (412.255.2505).
Join Kangaroo Birthing and Maternity for the 1st Annual Unshakeable Motherhood event on May 28, 2019.
About
This one-day free evening opportunity is designed to help mothers feel confident about navigating pregnancy, labor and delivery, life with an infant, and the transition to motherhood. It’s a chance to explore new options and find resources on the aspects of pregnancy, birth, babies, or parenthood that are most important to mom and partner.
You will have an eye-opening experience to experience dozens of vendors along with featuring doulas, midwives, and OBs, pediatricians, lactation consultants and IBCLCs, chiropractors, photographers, prenatal fitness experts, child care facilities, book shops, baby boutiques, early childhood programming.
There’s a strong focus on education — there will be expert-led seminars, mini-classes, and panel discussions on topics related to pregnancy, childbirth, babies, and the transition to parenthood, as well as demonstrations designed to teach skills like babywearing and cloth diapering skills.
Registration
Registration for this event is free and may be completed via the event webpage.
Your ticket includes:
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- An opportunity to be selected to ask real-time questions with birth workers,
- Dinner and snacks,
- An “Unshakeable Motherhood” special gift bag, and
- An opportunity to connect with the birthing community.
Questions
To learn more and contact the host, visit the event webpage.
For the twentieth time since 2000, a group of local librarians and child development experts has sorted through the previous year’s publications to select and promote the 10 Best Books for Babies.
About Best Books for Babies
The Best Books for Babies project is intended to encourage reading beginning at birth and recognize publishers who create excellent books for the very youngest listeners. The books selected, from sturdy board books to fun lift-the-flap titles to charming picture book portraits of young families, will delight and engage babies age birth through 18 months and the adults who care for them.
See the List
Families and caregivers can view the full list by visiting the Library’s PDF.
Where to Find Them
Pick up one or more of these books at a Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh branch near you. In addition to spending some cozy time together, you’ll be preparing baby’s brain to learn and grow.
*Information provided by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
The Raising Readers Together Club runs weekly and explores the importance of acceptance, equality, and tolerance through reading. Thursday sessions are suitable for children ages five and younger.
For children age six and older, see our Wednesday sessions at Willie Tee’s Barbershop.
Winter 2019 Books:
- Word Play by Adam Lehrhaupt | February 7
- My Heart Fills With Happiness by Monique Gray Smith | February 14
- Nelly Gnu and Daddy Too by Anna Dewdney | February 21
- Unplugged by Steven Antony | February 28
- All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold | March 7
- Malala: My Story of Standing Up for Girls’ Rights by Malala Yousafzai | March 14
- The Library Book by Tom Chapin and Michael Mark | March 21
- Billy Bloo is Stuck in Goo by Jennifer Hamburg | March 28
Raising Readers provides free:
- books
- discussion
- food
- songs
- storytelling
- resources
Questions
For questions or more information, contact Cynthia Battle at 412.421.3889 or cynthia@tryingtogether.org.
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