Information for Parents and Caregivers

Currently West County Reads provides parents information they need to help them to raise a reader primarily through our annual West County Reads! Reading Events Calendar. In January 2007 West County Reads! printed and distributed 6,000 calendars free to families at libraries, Healthy Start and Even Start programs, arts organizations, schools, day-care centers, pre-schools, community centers, and foster care programs.

The West County Reads! calendar:

1. Showcases the joyful art of West County children with inspirational images and messages encouraging adults and children to read aloud daily
2. Provides parents and caregivers with information about free storybook readings in West County libraries and thereby helps to increase the attendance at these wonderful programs
3. Lists contact information for West County organizations that can help support parents as they perform their critical role as their child's first reading teacher.
4. Includes new advice to parents each month from reading experts on how they can raise a reader

Our 5th annual Reading Events Calendar was made possible through the generosity of Target. Target also is sponsoring monthly Family Story Times at a different location in West County each month. At these events, the first 50 families in attendance will receive a free book. The location and times of these events are listed in our calendar. Contact your local West County library to pick up a free calendar.