The Forsyth County Public Library and the Target Corporation have partnered to boost early reading. The library is the proud recipient of a $5,000 grant from Target, to be used to purchase 200 “Easy Read-along CD Book Kits.” The read-along collection is one of the most popular that parents choose for their toddlers, preschoolers and emergent readers. Each kit contains a picture book and an audio recording.

The grant is part of the ongoing support Target provides to local communities throughout the country. Target gives back more than $2 million a week to its local communities through grants and special programs.

Prior to the opening of the Johns Creek Super Target, store manager Steve Bentley contacted the Forsyth County Public Library. Both Mr. Bentley and Mr. Steve Reed, the Market Place Super Target manager, encouraged the library to apply for a grant from the Target Corporation. With their support, the library received the maximum possible grant in the education division.

There are at least 12,000 early readers in Forsyth County. Supporting early readers is both a service and resource priority for the library. Children’s programs overflow with 33,000 attendances annually. Children’s materials account for about half of the library’s circulation of more than one million. The read-along kits were checked out and returned 7,279 times in 2005.

The Read-along CDs are ideal for children from ages two to seven. The books are professionally narrated to enhance the listening experience. Parents and teachers appreciate the kits because they support and inspire early reading habits.

• The book and the CD can be used together or individually.
• The child listens to the story and follows along in the print book, with or without an adult.
• Patrons who speak English as a second language can use the CD sets to improve their English.
• Since it is a portable format, patrons use the kits at home and in the car. Parents comment that they like to check out extras to take on family trips.
• The kits provide excellent read-aloud models for parents and caregivers who want to improve their skills in reading aloud.
• Fifty kits are in a Spanish-English format, supporting foreign language curriculum in the school system.

The new CD kits will be showcased in a library family program, “Love Letters,” at the Cumming Branch on Tuesday, February 14th at 6:30 p.m. and at the Sharon Forks Branch on Thursday, February 16th at 6:30 p.m.

“Love Letters” is a variety program for children of all ages featuring music, stories and skits about love and friendship. It will conclude with a puppet show performed to a CD recording of the children’s classic, A Kiss for Little Bear, by Else Holmelund Minarik.

For information or directions to either library location, please call 770-781-9840, or visit the library website at www.forsythpl.org.