‘It begins with books’: Lincoln City Libraries begins new book program for newborns
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A new program from Lincoln City Libraries will help get books to newborn babies across the city.
City leaders and health officials gathered at Eiseley Branch Library on Thursday to announce Books for Babies.
The three-year program will give a book to all children born in Lincoln-area hospitals.
“You know, it’s such a simple message,” Library Director Pat Leach said. “It’s such a powerful message, but maybe it’s one that’s so simple that we overlook it, and that is, it begins with books. Read aloud, and you’ll set our children on a path to success and happiness.”
Health officials say reading to children starting at birth can help their growth and development.
“The American Academy of Pediatrics actually recommends that we start reading to our children even in the womb so they get familiar with the dialogue and just the language and learning vocabulary,” said Alexa Lewis, director of women and children’s services at Bryan Health.
The idea came from Lincoln East High School sophomore Ellie Hiser, who said she was inspired by her own love of reading.
“When my mom was a court-appointed advocate in Iowa, I realized a lot of families that she worked with didn’t have books in their homes at all,” Hiser said. “And I decided when we moved to Lincoln that I wanted to start this project.”
The program was made possible thanks to a grant from Community Health Endowment and donations from Bryan and CHI Health.
“This has just been a huge team effort,” Hiser said. “I could have not done this without every single person on this amazing team, and I’m really happy for all the support I’ve gotten. And the way this project has taken off has been amazing.”
