Our thanks to the media organizations who covered our partnership with the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County. Below are excerpts from their reports, along with links to the full stories:

The Herald-Star: Trinity, PLSJC in collaboration

STEUBENVILLE — Trinity Health System and the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County are forming a partnership aimed at fostering early literacy and creating a lifelong love of reading — starting from birth.

Upon delivery at Trinity, each child will be registered for a library card and receive a free board book, officials announced Friday. This initiative is designed to help families build strong literacy habits from the very beginning. The idea to register each newborn for a library card was initiated by Laurie Labishak, Trinity’s marketing director.

“Our partnership with the public library ensures that young families are introduced early to the programs and services available in our community through the library. Literacy is so very important to the success of our young people,” Labishak said.

You can read the article in its entirety here.

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WTOV: Library, Trinity Health System partner to boost newborn literacy by Jaime Ely

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ohio — A new initiative in Steubenville aims to give newborns a head start on literacy.

The Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County has partnered with Trinity Health System to provide library cards to all children born at Trinity.

The program is designed to foster early literacy skills, which studies show are linked to greater success later in life.

“Early literacy begins at birth. It’s so important for brain development—brain development is crucial for the child’s first three years of life, so reading to them, singing to them is so important to help develop the brain,” said Jennifer Cesta, PR coordinator, Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County.

You can see the full report here.

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WTRF: Trinity Health System, Ohio library partner to launch early literacy program for newborns by Mike Harris

Research shows that reading to children from birth supports brain development, strengthens family bonds, and improves school readiness.

“The first three years of a baby’s life are the most crucial to brain development,” said Misty Teasdale, the library’s Children’s Services Coordinator. “Getting a library card for your baby is a great way to foster a love of books and promote early literacy.”

Families will receive “Library Babies” by Puck, a board book that highlights common library experiences such as story time and borrowing books.

You can see the full report here.

*photo courtesy of WTOV*