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From left: Andrea Wright, technology librarian, USA Biomedical Library; Dr. Cindy Sheets, USA pediatrician; Shakina Jones, pediatric clinical care assistant; and Justin Robertson, associate director for public services, USA Biomedical Library
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The University of South Alabama Biomedical Library recently delivered approximately 600 books collected during National Library Week to the USA Children's Medical Center as part of the Reach Out and Read program.Reach Out and Read is a national non-profit organization that encourages early literacy and school readiness in pediatric exam rooms nationwide by giving books to children and advice to parents about the importance of reading.
According to USA pediatrician Dr. Cindy Sheets, studies have shown that children who have access to books at a young age and have their family members read to them learn to love books and do much better in school. “The more books a child has, the better,” she said.
Dr. Sheets said having the child’s primary care provider give advice on family reading and providing a book at their well checkups encourages the love of reading. “It gives the message that reading is important and that their medical providers really care about their literacy and progress in school.”
The Children's Medical Center, which is the pediatric teaching clinic for the University, became a member of the Reach Out and Read initiative eight years ago.
The Reach Out and Read program begins at the 6-month checkup and continues through age 5, with a special emphasis on children growing up in economically challenged communities. The Children’s Medical Center also collects donated books to give to children at sick visits and at well visits to ages outside of the official Reach Out and Read guidelines.
