Archived News Release from 2006

For Immediate Release

Redwood City Library to Open New Office for Traveling Storytime Early Literacy Program, and Celebrate Program’s Positive Assessment Results

Redwood City, CA - October 23 , 2006 -The Redwood City Public Library will hold a Grand Opening for the new office of its renowned and much-loved Traveling Storytime preschool literacy program on Thursday, October 26, 2006 from 7 to 8 pm at the Downtown Library, 1044 Middlefield Road.

Since its start nearly six years ago, the Traveling Storytime program has shared offices with the Library’s Youth Services staff. With its unprecedented success and bringing in over 50 volunteer readers, the program has outgrown its space and earned a new, dedicated place in the Library. The community is invited to join the celebration and enjoy refreshments and the first look at Traveling Storytime’s new office.

The ribbon to the office will be ceremoniously cut by Mel Hirsekorn and Myra Greenberg, who took part in the program’s first volunteer training in January 2001, and who still read each week to preschool children in Redwood City. The Grand Opening will honor five-year volunteer readers including Hirsekorn and Greenberg, as well as JoAnn Damiano, Dorothy Hessler, Mary Lou Huzarewicz, Jeanie Isaacs, Jan Pedden, Rita Stewart, Wendy Winkler, and Vicki Young. Also honored will be those volunteers who’ve been reading for four, three, and two years.

An assessment of the program’s impact on children who have been read to by a volunteer for at least six months showed that the kids’ proficiency in engaging with books was more than 50% higher than non-program students entering kindergarten, as tested in a countywide study. The results of that assessment will be formally announced and celebrated at the Grand Opening.

The Traveling Storytime program trains volunteers to read to children from birth to five, then assigns them to a weekly storytime in a home day care or preschool in Redwood City. The program was honored by the San Mateo County Reading Association for Exemplary Service in the Promotion of Literacy. Over 75,000 preschool children have been read to by Traveling Storytime volunteers, and this wonderful and effective program can always use more volunteers. Community members interested in joining the Traveling Storytime volunteer corps are encouraged to call 650-780-7014 to learn more.

The Redwood City Public Library sponsors many free programs for children, families, and adults and is the learning center of the community. More information about library events and services, and the Redwood City Library Foundation, is available on the library’s home page at www.redwoodcity.org/library, by calling 780-7026, or by picking up library information in any Redwood City public library.

Visit Redwood City’s award-winning website at www.redwoodcity.org for information about the City and its services, the community, recreation programs, education, and local business. Take a look at the variety of City webcams at redwoodcity.org/webcam, and subscribe to Redwood City’s email newsletter by emailing e-news@redwoodcity.org.

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Contact:

JoAnne Wetzel
Traveling Storytime Coordinator
650-780-7014