Columbus Metropolitan Library Launches Linden-Area Ready to Read Corps and Unveils New Bookmobile

    COLUMBUS, OH, October 16, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Columbus Metropolitan Library officially launched its second Ready to Read Corps at a special event held at the Linden Branch on Oct. 14 at 9:30 a.m. The Ready to Read Corps is a first-of-its-kind initiative that takes CML's Ready to Read program, based on Public Library Association's national initiative Every Child Ready to Read @ Your Library, out of the library and into communities to help parents and caregivers learn to prepare their children for kindergarten.

"We are thrilled to expand this service to our communities who are in the greatest need of assistance," said Columbus Metropolitan Library Executive Director Patrick Losinski. "In Columbus, 40 percent of children who enter kindergarten are unprepared and start school already behind. Columbus Metropolitan Library believes libraries are uniquely qualified to address the early literacy crisis in the United States. We are truly grateful to the Nationwide Insurance Foundation for funding this initiative which is vital to the future success of this program in central Ohio."

Losinski's point made a visual impact when CML unveiled its new bookmobile, also funded with dollars donated by the Nationwide Insurance Foundation. The design of the new bookmobile, which is smaller than the other two in CML's fleet, was specifically chosen so that it could travel the narrower streets in neighborhoods.

"This new bookmobile is another valuable tool for our outreach programs that serve children in at-risk communities," Losinski said. "We are confident that this new bookmobile and future Ready to Read Corps will be welcomed by the families in the community and that the children will benefit greatly from these services."

The first Ready to Ready Corps was launched in 2009 in the Parsons Avenue and Weinland Park Community in Columbus. The next Ready to Read Corps will begin operating in the Northland area of Columbus within the next few months. CML is working to acquire funding for three more communities in central Ohio: Hilltop, Whitehall and Groveport.

For more information, visit www.columbuslibrary.org or www.columbuslibrary.org/readytoreadcorps.

CONTACT: Kim Snell, Media Relations
TELEPHONE: (614) 849-1046 or 769-8505
EMAIL: [email protected]

About Columbus Metropolitan Library
Columbus Metropolitan Library has been named Library of the Year for 2010. It was also ranked the #1 library in the country by Hennen's American Public Library Rating Index for 2008 and also received 5 Star ratings in 2009 and 2010. Main Library and its 20 branches are dedicated to guiding customers in their pursuit of information, knowledge and wisdom. Over 8 million customers pass through our doors every year, and 10 million "virtual users" log on to our Columbuslibrary.org, kids.columbuslibrary.org and teens.columbuslibrary.org websites.

About the Nationwide Insurance Foundation
The Nationwide Insurance Foundation is an independent corporation funded by contributions from Nationwide companies including Nationwide Insurance. Founded in 1959, the Nationwide Insurance Foundation has committed more than $250 million since 2000 to help nonprofit organizations in communities where Nationwide associates and their families live and work. Just as Nationwide supports its customers in their moment of need, the company's involvement in its home communities is focused on supporting organizations that help people facing critical or immediate need.

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