Collaboration between library and hospital benefiting newborns celebrates five-year milestone ...

Robey Memorial Library and Foundation is marking its fifth anniversary in partnership with Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) reaching out to families delivering babies at the hospital. To promote Robey Memorial Library’s early literacy program, 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten (1,000BBK), the Library Foundation purchases items for a literacy care package gifted to each newborn at Veterans Memorial Hospital. Packages include a board book; a tri-fold brochure highlighting the 1,000BBK program plus the many other programs and activities available to families at Robey Memorial Library; and coupons for a library tote bag and the Library Foundation’s monthly Book Sale.

“We greatly appreciate the books that the library donates to our OB department. They are so cute and a great gift to give to parents who can read them to their new baby as well as their siblings. We love that our amazing local library has chosen to partner with us to deliver the books to these families, as we both strive to give these babies a great start in life,” shared Jayne McCormick, RN, Maternity Services Supervisor at Veterans Memorial Hospital. Ellie Krousie, Robey Memorial Library’s Children’s Librarian adds, “We are thrilled to continue our collaboration with VMH allowing us to encourage a love for reading from birth. Reading is one of the best bonding experiences between parent and child; the concept is simple, but the rewards are priceless.”

The 1,000BBK program is a free program that encourages parents to read 1,000 books with their child before they enter Kindergarten. Studies show that children should hear at least 1,000 books from birth to age five to build the pre-reading skills they need to succeed in school. The program is available to everyone with a library card. Stop into the library or visit the library website, www.waukon.lib.ia.us, for more information.

Pictured above celebrating the collaboration milestone are, left to right, Robey Memorial Library Director Cate St. Clair, Robey Memorial Library Foundation Trustees Rita Troendle and Kristin Kopperrud-Stinn, Mara Knutson, RN, Bailey Meyer-Benson, RN,  Robey Memorial Library Children’s Librarian Ellie Krousie, Veterans Memorial Hospital Maternity Services Supervisor Jayne McCormick, RN and Veterans Memorial Hospital Chief Nursing Officer Karen Mathis. Most are pictured holding the program’s current board book selection, “Welcome little one” written by Sandra Magsamen. Submitted photo.