Wake County Libraries launched an extensive expansion of reading programs for young children beginning Saturday, Sept. 1. The program is part of the “Every Child Ready to Read”(ECR2R) national initiative designed to help young children learn to read. ECR2R is designed to educate parents and caregivers on the skills they can use at home to prepare their children for success in school.

The five simple skills in ECR2R – talking, singing, reading, writing and playing are familiar and easy for parents to integrate into everyday life, with the use of books and literature. Demonstrations have shown that by using these simple practices, children develop early literacy skills that will make them successful readers. Librarians incorporate these skills into each library program for young children. In addition to leading story time with the ECR2R principles, the library system will be offering more than 150 weekly programs for young children, beginning Sept. 1, more than doubling the number of programs previously provided.

For a list of library locations and storytimes being offered, visit www.wakegov.com/libraries/events or visit your local library.

Turn to page 9 for information about the Fuquay-Varina Community Library.