County to give kids free books

6/8/2007

The Lucas County commissioners announced an initiative yesterday to distribute 2,400 free books to 800 infants, toddlers, preschool, and school-aged children who attend subsidized child care in the county.

Additionally, the commissioners have pledged to provide early literacy training for the 200 child-care providers who have contracts with the county.

The program, to be facilitated through the Lucas County Department of Jobs and Family Services, is part of a national effort called Reach Out and Read that includes handing out new, age-appropriate books to children.

The county will hold four training programs for child-care providers and distribute three books to each child in child care by the end of this month.

"Books open a world of opportunities and every child in Lucas County deserves the chance to learn and to read," said Tina Skeldon Wozniak, the county commissioners' president.