This month I’d like to write about two great projects, One Book 4 Colorado and World Book Night. One Book 4 Colorado is an effort to get a new book into the hands of every 4-year-old in Colorado, while supporting parents as their child’s first teacher. It is modeled after the Preschool One Book One Denver program originated by the Denver Preschool Program. Spearheaded by Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia, it is a combined effort of Reach Out and Read, the Colorado State Library, public libraries, the private sector and the foundation community.

Reach Out and Read Colorado is a nonprofit organization that promotes early literacy and school readiness in medical clinics by giving new books to children and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud. These young patients enter kindergarten better prepared to succeed, with larger vocabularies and stronger language skills. Reach Out and Read Colorado doctors and nurses distribute 145,000 books to children at 184 pediatric practices, hospitals, clinics and health centers in 48 of Colorado’s 64 counties, with a special emphasis on children growing up in low-income communities.

The Colorado State Library, a division of the Colorado Department of Education, provides leadership and expertise in developing library-related policies, activities, and services for school, public, academic and special libraries. Our state library promotes early literacy to library staff, parents, children and childcare providers throughout Colorado. The Cortez Public Library staff became aware of the One Book 4 Colorado Program through our state library.

More than 70,000 copies of the same book will be distributed to children across Colorado at local libraries and at Reach Out and Read clinics and doctors’ offices. The book will be available in both English and Spanish. A statewide book distribution will take place between April 18 and April 29.

“Something as simple as putting a book in the hands of a young child can inspire a love of reading and help that child develop into a life-long learner,” said Lt. Gov. Garcia. “By partnering with Reach Out and Read Colorado and Colorado State Library we are able to support parents in making sure that all children are school-ready on the very first day they walk into a classroom.”

Sponsors for the program include Douglas County Libraries, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Early Learning Ventures, the David and Laura Merage Foundation, Cydney and Tom Marsico Foundation, Teletech, the Aspen Community Foundation, Southwest Airlines and Scholastic Books.

So between Wednesday, April 18, and Sunday, April 29, bring your 4-year-old to one of the following local distribution sites to pick up their free book:

Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park, Cortez, phone 565-8117.

Mancos Public Library, 211 W. First Street, Mancos, phone 533-7600.

Montezuma County Health Department, 106 W. North St., Cortez, phone 565-3056.

Another book giveaway (for adults) is World Book Night on Monday, April 23. It is a celebration of reading and books that will see tens of thousands of people share books with others in their communities across America to spread the joy and love of reading. Notice of sites will be given in the newspaper as April 23 approaches. We know there are at least two people from the Cortez area who will be distributing free books that evening; watch for them! There is a list of sponsors for World Book Night on their website at www.worldbooknight.org, including the American Library Association and many, many publishers.

So to kids and adults, happy reading!



Joanie Howland is director of the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St. She can be reached at 565-8117.