Fairfield Public Library Receives Grant To Support Early Literacy Program

FAIRFIELD, CT — Fairfield Public Library's Children's Department has received a $20,000 grant from the Harmon Family Foundation to support early literacy among preschool-aged children in Fairfield.

The funding will support the library's "Books 'n' Bears" outreach program, which provides children ages 2 to 5 attending preschools and day care facilities with a specially selected book and a stuffed bear.

Tamara Lyhne, head of children's services at Fairfield Public Library, and members of her staff will distribute the gifts during library outreach activities and at a special event for preschoolers as part of the library's Winter Reading Challenge.

"Providing preschool-aged children with books creates equitable opportunities to develop a lifelong love of reading, emphasizes the importance of early literacy, and encourages families to visit the Library for additional resources," Lyhne said.

"By pairing each book with a cuddly bear, we also provide children with a source of comfort, companionship and joy—helping to make reading a warm and nurturing experience from the very beginning," she added.

The Harmon Family Foundation was established in 1986 by James Harmon, who serves as its president. His father, Bert Harmon, volunteered at the Broward County Public Library in Florida, where he developed the original "Books 'n' Bears" program. Bert Harmon also co-founded the Broward Public Library Foundation.

James Harmon, a Fairfield County resident for more than 60 years, established the foundation to continue his father's efforts to promote early childhood literacy.

The Fairfield program is designed to introduce young children to reading while encouraging families to use the library's resources.

For more information about Fairfield Public Library's children's programs and services, visit fairfieldpubliclibrary.org/children.