Idaho Commission for Libraries

Family Reading Week is an annual statewide celebration of reading as a family activity. Each year librarians and Read to Me project coordinators choose a theme, gather resources and ideas for activities, and design publicity materials. A free resource packet is sent to every public library and every elementary school library in Idaho, which librarians use to plan a variety of events at their libraries and within their communities.

The theme for the 2008 Family Reading Week (November 16 - 22) is "AR-R-R-R-R-RE you reading?" Our goal is for 100 libraries and schools across the state to break out their eye patches, spyglasses, and hornpipes, and host a Family Reading Night or other event. We hope you will invite your local decision makers--mayors, city council members, library and school board members, and state legislators--into your library to see firsthand how librarians are bringing the read aloud message to parents and caregivers and making a difference in people's lives. This is also a great opportunity to reach out and bring in families who are not regular library users.

Ar-r-r-r-r-re you planning an event or Family Reading Night? Idaho public libraries and elementary school libraries should have received a Family Reading Week planning packet in September. Select handouts from the packet are attached below. These activities are part of the Pirate Activity Kit from Harcourt Trade Publishers, http://www.harcourtbooks.com/pirates/. There are also FREE reading support materials available! Just print and fill out the order form in the link, and they will be delivered to your library or school at no cost. In addition, the November issue of The Bookworm, a newsletter published for Read to Me First Book parents, has been included below for your use at family reading events.

Anchors aweigh, and best wishes for a successful and fun Idaho Family Reading Week! If you have any questions, please contact one of your Read to Me Book-aneers:

Admiral Stephanie:
stephanie.bailey-white@libraries.idaho.gov
Salty Dog Peggy:
peggy.mcclendon@libraries.idaho.gov
Cap'n Staci:
staci.shaw@libraries.idaho.gov