Your community library and Rotary International are partnering to address early literacy in Natchez.

Literacy is the primary focus this year of Rotary International in Mississippi.

A Rotary District grant, with funds matched by the Natchez Rotary Club, provided the funding for the project.

The administrators of Natchez Community and Natchez Regional hospitals, both Rotarians, provided letters of support.

The birthing centers of each hospital will dispense gift packets to each new mother as they leave the hospital beginning in mid May.

The “Born to Read” gift packet will contain baby’s very own Baby Board Book, baby’s “first library card,” an application for an adult library card, helpful hints on “Raising a Reader,” and information regarding Library services.

By encouraging new mothers to read to their babies right from the beginning, a solid foundation will be established for little ones to develop a love of learning.

To support this early learning, the library will offer a new lap-sit story time for children under the age of three, featuring finger plays and nursery rhymes for moms and babies.

The library has also added a selection of baby board books available for check out.

These sturdy, simple and colorful books are just the right size for little hands, and are a delightful first experience in reading.

The Friends of the Armstrong library has recently donated a beautiful new platform rocker/glider for the children’s department, creating the perfect spot to cuddle with the little ones and get acquainted with reading.

There is also a new “I Can Read!” section of beginning readers, from pre-reading through level 3.

These graduated readers are marked with blue dots.

In the same area, there is a parents’ resource section with books on teaching children to read and encouraging young readers.

We invite you to stop by your library soon and see all the exciting changes designed to encourage a love of reading among our youngest Natchezians.

The Natchez Adams Wilkinson Library Service consists of three branches: Armstrong Library in Natchez (the headquarters of the library system), Van Cleave Library in Centreville, and Woodville Public Library in Woodville. The Armstrong Library is located at 220 South Commerce in Natchez, and is open Monday through Thursday from 9-6, Friday from 9-5, and Saturday from 9-1. You can call the library at 601.445.8862, e-mail us at armstrong@naw.lib.ms.us or visit us online www.naw.lib.ms.us.

The library column is submitted monthly by the staff at the library.