Renovate! Restock! Read!

RENOVATE
First, The Wonder of Reading renovates the elementary school library, creating a more useful and welcoming environment for learning.  We expand the existing library space to include story steps for group reading, individual workstations for tutoring, and a cozy cove for quiet reading.  New bookshelves, paint, carpet, and blinds make the library an inviting space.  See before and after pictures of our libraries!

RESTOCK
Next, The Wonder of Reading works with the school library committee to replace outdated and ruined books with $10,000 worth of new books to restock the library's collection.  Click here to learn about restocking a library.

READ
Finally, The Wonder of Reading works with the school to recruit and train adults to read one-on-one with the students who are struggling readers.  Volunteers read with their students one hour every week during the school day for an entire school year.  Click here to find out more about our volunteer effort.

3R PROGRAM EXPANDED
Once the library has opened with its new books and volunteer reading partner have been trained and paired with struggling students, The Wonder of Reading focuses on building a long-lasting relationship with each partner school.  We have expanded the reach of the 3R Program by creating new programs and trainings that support literacy initiatives on an ongoing basis at the school.  These programs include:

CPR FOR LIBRARIES (CARPET, PAINT, AND REPAIR)
This program provides schools with a cost-effective and efficient way to replace and upgrade outdated or soiled carpet and to add fresh paint and mini-blinds to their library facilities.  It is available to schools with a library that is at least five years old.

LITERACY GRANTS
The Wonder of Reading annually offers literacy grants of $5,000 to $7,000 each to fund new library books and creative literacy projects for our school partners.

FAMILY READING PROGRAM
This program offers parents and guardians the opportunity to participate in an interactive literacy workshop designed to help them inspire in their children the love of reading.  Family reading partners are presented with methods for selecting books that are both interesting and developmentally appropriate for their children.  In addition to learning decoding, reading, and comprehension strategies, they are given supplemental activities to help improve fluency, vocabulary, and writing skills.

LIBRARY SKILLS WORKSHOP
This one-and-a-half-hour training instructs adults on how libraries are organized, how to utilize specific tools when exploring the library, and how to share these valuable connections with children in order to maximize their library time.  This interactive workshop was designed to make libraries more familiar and accessible to parents, teachers, and volunteer reading partners.