USA Libraries Hosting Book Drive for USA Children's Medical Center

Cheyenne Gray and her mother talk with USA pediatrician Dr. Cindy Sheets about the book Cheyenne picked out at the USA Children's Medical Center. Through the Reach Out and Read program, the USA Children's Medical Center has been promoting early literacy and school readiness in pediatric exam rooms by giving books to children and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud.

In celebration of National Library Week, the University of South Alabama Libraries are once again collecting books for children and teens to donate to USA Children's Medical Center, a pediatric outpatient clinic located in midtown Mobile. Books collected during the drive will be used to support the pediatric clinic's Reach Out and Read program.

New and gently used books for children or teens can be donated at the Marx Library, Baugh Biomedical Library, or UMC Health Information Resource Center on the 3rd floor of USA Medical Center from April 11-18, 2016.

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.

“Multiple studies have shown that the possession of books, plus being read aloud to at an early age greatly improves a child's vocabulary and preschool readiness,” said USA pediatrician Dr. Cindy Sheets. “Gently used books are wonderful, and we could use books in any language, especially Spanish and Arabic.”

In addition to the Reach Out and Read guidelines of providing books to children at well visits from 2 months to 5 years of age, USA Children’s Medical Center also provides books to children at sick visits.

If you have any questions or if you would like to schedule a pick-up, contact Andrea Wright at awright@southalabama.edu or 251-461-1424.