Libraries, Ltd. promotes literacy in children and teenagers, especially targeting underserved communities in Arizona, primarily by establishing and maintaining libraries for non-profit organizations that serve children and teenagers. We purchase new books, or obtain donated books, magazines, and other learning aids.
In honor of our founder, Judy Goddard, we present yearly awards to outstanding Arizona authors or illustrators of books for children, middle grade readers, or young adults.
We have active chapters in both the Tucson and Phoenix areas.
RECENT ACTIVITY
Book distributions are still happening at Manzo Elementary School in Tucson, even with virtual learning during the pandemic. Preschool children are reading at home daily with their families. After turning in a reading calendar at the end of each month, they are receiving books to keep at home. The books, along with the next month’s reading calendar, are delivered to each student’s home by teachers. Funds from Libraries, Ltd. are used to purchase the books.
says “THANK YOU!”
With the generous support of Libraries, Ltd., “Make Way for Books” provided 690 high-quality, culturally meaningful books to children participating in our newly designed Online Storytime/Cuentos en Linea. During Covid-19, “Make Way for Books” ceased all in-person programming to ensure the health and safety of our staff and participants. Recognizing that children and families were coping with sudden and unexpected changes, and that parents were experiencing many of the same fears as their young children, it was decided to focus on the power of books and stories to inspire, comfort, and delight families during this time.
During each half-hour session of Online Storytime/Cuentos en Linea, Family Literacy Specialists share books in Spanish and English, as well as songs, felt-board activities, and strategies for parents to foster language and literacy in young children. Recordings are made available after the livestream, so that families who were not able to watch can access them at a later time. According to a parent, “We watch the story times together every morning. My girls call them “episodes” and they look for their favorite “re-runs” and play them over and over.” Another parent shared, “The stories are important for me too. I need a bright light. It’s for both of us.”
“Make Way for Books” quickly mobilized to deliver high-quality books to participating families. Their staff traveled across Pima County, delivering books to families in Sahuarita, Three Points, Tucson, and Marana. Children received titles that were featured in Online Storytime/Cuentos en Linea, allowing them to follow along during sessions, build their home libraries, and strengthen daily book-sharing routines. In addition to books that feature rich vocabulary and emergent literary skills, we selected stories that address social emotional topics such as navigating emotions and recognizing how others feel.
“Make Way for Books” is proud to partner with Libraries, Ltd. to reach children and families with life-changing early literacy programming and high-quality books. One participating mother represents the feelings of many others, stating ,”Thank you for teaching us more ways to communicate with our children with songs and through readings. We can enjoy and teach our children that even in difficult times, books teach us a thousand ways to continue dreaming of a better world.”
