Programs

Mothers and Babies

A baby reading a book

“I never knew a two-month old would listen to a book! My baby seems to actually look at the pictures!”
- New mother who received books

Volunteers assemble baby welcome packets for at-risk mothers. Each packet contains an infant book, information on the value of reading, and practical tips for a baby’s healthy development. Over 800 packets are distributed each year, through partnerships with Washtenaw County Public Health Dept.,  St. Joseph Mercy Hospital and University of Michigan Visiting Nurses.

Read to Kids

“My students can’t wait for the beginning of the month book deliveries. And taking home books for their siblings is a big deal for many of them. This program is great!”
-Head Start teacher

A little girl reads
Parents at local Head Start programs earn free books for the whole family by reading aloud with their children ten times each month. CLN distributes 3000+ books annually through this longtime reading incentive program. Check out our Wish List of quality books for early childhood.

Staying in Closer Touch

Parent Reads to Child

“This program is much more than books. It is an important connection with your loved ones. Even if you are not home with them, this give them a part of you.”
-SICT Parent

This program takes place at three correctional facilities in Washtenaw County. Volunteers work one-on-one with incarcerated parents to read a book aloud and make a voice recording. The parent’s children then receive a CD of the recording, a copy of the book, and a greeting card. In this way, books help a family “stay in closer touch”.

Summer Book Program

“Few interventions hold such promise for narrowing the growing reading achievement gap between low- and high-socioeconomic-status students.”
-Dr. Nell Duke, Professor of Language, Literacy, and Culture at the University of Michigan

The Summer Book Program provides all Mitchell kindergarten, first, and second graders with eight books to take home and read during the summer. The books are at an appropriate reading level and of high interest to the students so as to invite them to want to read.

Reading on the Farm

“I love all the projects we do here, and we get books, too!”
- 9 year old participant

Two boys reading on the farm
CLN brings story time to the DuRussels’ Potato Farm. The children of migrant farm workers listen to stories read by our volunteers and pick out books to keep. This program runs during most of the month of August. If you would like to volunteer to be a story time reader or helper please contact Diane at diane@childrensliteracynetwork.org or 734-645-1320.

Prescription to Read

Rx to Read

“Kids who know the program make a beeline to the Book Cart after their check-up. For kids about to get a shot, we let them pick out their book before-hand so that they’re distracted. It works!”
- Nurse, Packard Community Clinic

Doctors and nurses at low-cost health clinics give pediatric patients the doctor’s orders message to “Read Every Day” and let them choose a book to take home. These books have replaced lollipops.

Community Outreach

Throughout the year, Children’s Literacy Network participates in special projects, events, and collaborations, such as:

  • Women, Infants, Children (WIC) Ice Cream Social
  • Educational Project for Homeless Youth
  • Literacy Coalition of Washtenaw County
  • Success by Six
  • Reading with children of migrant farm workers
  • Packard Health Fair
  • Ann Arbor Book Festival

We value the partnerships we have formed over the years and welcome new opportunities to serve the community.