Spring 2014
Foundation
MADISON PUBLIC LIBRARY a quarterly newsletter from the Madison Public Library Foundation
FOUNDATION NEWS Readathon Kicks Off Early Literacy Program at Pinney Library On January 8, over 200 neighbors celebrated the launch of Pinney Library’s new early literacy initiative, 1000 Books Before Kindergarten. Funded by a $3,700 grant from the foundation, this free program promotes reading to newborns, infants and toddlers while encouraging parent and child bonding through reading. The kickoff included Madison figures like Mayor Paul Soglin, Michelle Li of WISC-TV, and city police and firefighters reading stories nonstop for five hours. By the end of the event, 112 children had joined the new program.
A toddler gets up close and personal with “Where The Wild Things Are.”
“1000 Books Before Kindergarten emphasizes that year-round reading is essential for children to build the vocabulary awareness and prereading skills they need to enter kindergarten ready to learn,” said Lesley Kircher, youth services librarian at Pinney Library.
In the program, families sign up and track their child’s reading. For every 100 books read, children receive a sticker. After finishing 1,000 books, children earn a free book. “1,000 seems like a large number, but for a newborn baby that enters the program, reading only one book a day for that baby’s first five years makes an incredible difference in the child’s readiness for school,” said Pinney supervisor Sarah Lawton. Pinney will serve as the pilot location for this program with plans to expand it to all nine libraries. In the meantime, families from all across Madison can sign up at Pinney Library or on the library’s website.
Madison Ald. David Ahrens entertains a captive audience during the Readathon.
Ex Libris Volume III: Better With Beer Raises $39,000 Nearly 400 guests tasted their way through 20 of Madison’s favorite breweries and eateries at Ex Libris Volume III: Better with Beer, held on November 1. The foundation’s third annual beer tasting fundraiser took a new twist this year, challenging local restaurateurs to create menu items made with popular craft brews. Attendees enjoyed music from The Oak Street Ramblers and bid on fun and tasty silent auction items. The first annual bottle cap raffle even made one lucky guest the winner of “Beer for a Year,” courtesy of The Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co. Many thanks to the sponsors, tasting partners and donors who helped make this year’s event the biggest and most successful yet, netting $39,000 for the library’s buildings, collections and programs.
Alice Tillett and Bill White say “cheers” to Madison Public Library.
Adam Skibley wins “Beer for a Year” from the Great Dane.
Next Door Brewing Co. preps pumpkin custard made with their Sevex ale.