New educational toys, clothing & gifts for expectant and new single first time mothers in need with daily reading and monthly library visits. Apply today! WHAT WE DO First Library® is a three year program that offers expectant and new single first time mothers in need (newborn to age one children only) educational support, new educational toys, supplies, children's clothing, and gifts from local businesses and professionals for their child while strengthening their community connections.* Mothers are encouraged to read to their child daily and are required to visit their local library monthly and perform various free reading related activities to participate in the program. All items are brand new, age-appropriate and are available online with participation. BONUS: First time mothers receive gifts for continued participation. It is our hope at First Library to give single first time mothers and their children a love of reading, family reading time, and a respect and appreciation for literature and libraries. *Participation in a free monthly book program/social service program or referral from a social service agency/medical caregiver is mandatory for participation in the First Library program. APPLY FOR FIRST LIBRARY® Daily Reading Monthly Library Visits Library Activities Educational Support New Educational Toys New Clothing New Supplies Local Businesses Gifts Reading Surveys Questionaires Parental Support Community Connection BRING FIRST LIBARY TO YOUR COMMUNITY TOO! Help kids take a break from tech for two hours on Tuesdays (and more) and turn on reading while bringing the First Library program to single first time mothers in need in your community. TAKE A BREAK AND HELP A CHILD IN NEED.

Research - New Jersey 2019 Children under age 6 whose family members read to them less than 4 days per week 45% Fourth grade reading achievement levels Proficiency in reading by the end of third grade is a crucial marker in a child's educational development. In the early years, learning to read is a critical component of education. But beginning in fourth grade, children use reading to learn other subjects, and therefore, mastery of reading becomes a critical component in their ability to keep up academically. Children who reach fourth grade without being able to read proficiently are more likely to drop out of high school, reducing their earnings potential and changes for success. Below basic - 22% At or above basic - 78% Below proficient - 51% At or above proficient - 49% Eighth grade reading achievement levels Below basic - 18% At or above basic - 82% Below proficient - 53% At or above proficient - 47% Research - Reading Reading aloud is the single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading. Reach Out and Read, Archives of Disease in Childhood, Reading Aloud to Children: The Evidence, 2008. Of all parent-child activities, reading aloud provides the richest exposure to language, so promotion of reading aloud, especially for children from more disadvantaged backgrounds, holds great promise for strengthening school readiness and laying a strong foundation for future educational success. Reach Out and Read, Archives of Disease in Childhood, Reading Aloud to Children: The Evidence, 2008. Reading aloud to young children is not only one of the best activities to stimulate language and cognitive skills; it also builds motivation, curiosity, and memory. Bardige, B. Talk to Me, Baby!(2009), Paul H Brookes Pub Co. Early literacy encompasses all of a child’s experiences with conversation, stories (oral and written), books, and print. Rebecca Parlakian, Before the ABCs: Promoting School Readiness in Infants and Toddlers. Washington, DC: Zero to Three, 2003. At its heart, literacy is about communication, which begins long before a baby utters her first word. Babies are prewired to learn, communicate, and connect with others; they tell us what they need through their cries, facial expressions, sounds, and movements. Janice Im, Carol Osborn, Sylvia Sánchez, et al., Cradling Literacy: Building Teachers’ Skills to Nurture Early Language and Literacy from Birth to Five. Washington, DC: Zero to Three, 2007. Across the nation just under half of children between birth and five years (47.8%) are read to every day by their parents or other family members . Russ S, Perez V, Garro N, Klass P, Kuo AA, Gershun M, Halfon N, Zuckerman B. Reading Across the Nation: A Chartbook (2007): Reach Out and Read National Center, Boston, MA . 1 in 4 children in America grow up without learning how to read. WriteExpress Corporation. "Literacy Statistics." Begin to Read. Accessed April 16, 2014. Children growing up in homes with at least 20 books get 3 years more schooling than children from book less homes, independent of their parents’ education, occupation, and class. Evans, M. D., Kelley, J., Sikora, J., & Treiman, D. J. (2010). Family scholarly culture and educational success: Books and schooling in 27 nations. Research in Social Stratification and Mobility, 28(2), 171-197. Creating a steady stream of new, age-appropriate books has been shown to nearly triple interest in reading within months. Harris, Louis. An Assessment of the Impact of First Book’s Northeast Program. January 2003. Experts are nearly unanimous in stating that babies should routinely experience shared books as soon as they experience shared talking, that is, during the first weeks and months of life. Butler, D. (1998). Babies need books. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. The nurturing and one-on-one attention from parents during reading aloud encourages children to form a positive association with books and reading later in life. Reach Out and Read, Archives of Disease in Childhood, Reading Aloud to Children: The Evidence, 2008. Giving children access to print materials is associated with positive behavioral, educational, and psychological outcomes. Reading Is Fundamental, Access to Print Materials Improves Children’s Reading: A Meta-Analysis of 108 Most Relevant Studies Shows Positive Impacts, 2010) Across the nation just under half of children between birth and five years (47.8%) are read to every day by their parents or other family members. Russ S, Perez V, Garro N, Klass P, Kuo AA, Gershun M, Halfon N, Zuckerman B. Reading Across the Nation: A Chartbook (2007): Reach Out and Read National Center, Boston, MA. Children who live in print-rich environments and who are read to during the first years of life are much more likely to learn to read on schedule. Reach Out and Read, Reading Aloud to Children: The Evidence, Archives for Disease Control, 2008. The Early Childhood Longitudinal Study found that in the spring of 2000, the children who were read to at least three times a week by a family member were almost twice as likely to score in the top 25% in reading compared to children who were read to less than 3 times a week. Denton, Kristen and Gerry West, Children’s Reading and Mathematics Achievement in Kindergarten and First Grade (PDF file), U.S. Department of Education, NCES, Washington, D,2002. By the age of 2, children who are read to regularly display greater language comprehension, larger vocabularies, and higher cognitive skills than their peers. Raikes, H., Pan, B.A., Luze, G.J., Tamis-LeMonda, C.S.,Brooks-Gunn, J., Constantine, J., Tarullo, L.B., Raikes, H.A., Rodriguez, E. (2006). 37% of children arrive at kindergarten without the skills necessary for lifetime learning. Landry, S. H. (2005). Effective Early Childhood Programs: Turning Knowledge Into Action. Houston, TX: University of Texas, Health Science Center at Houston. There is almost a 90% probability that a child will remain a poor reader at the end of the fourth grade if the child is a poor reader at the end of first grade. Boyer, The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Children and teenagers who read for pleasure on a daily or weekly basis score better on reading tests than infrequent readers. Frequent readers also score better on writing tests than non-readers or infrequent readers. Reach Out and Read, Reading Aloud to Children: The Evidence, Archives for Disease Control, 2008. Higher reading exposure was 95% positively correlated with a “hub” region supporting semantic language processing in the brain, controlling for household income. Hutton, J. S., Horowitz-Kraus, T., Mendelsohn, A. L., DeWitt, T., & Holland, S. K. (2015). Home Reading Environment and Brain Activation in Preschool Children Listening to Stories. Pediatrics, 136(3), 466-478. Findings show higher-than-average scores among students who reported more types of reading material at home. Donahue, P. L., A. D. Finnegan, and N. L. Lutkus, The Nation’s Report Card: Fourth-Grade Reading 2001 (PDF file), U.S. Department of Education, NCES, Washington, DC 2001. 80% of students, when asked which book they had enjoyed most, said that they most enjoyed the one they had selected themselves. Gambrell, L.B. (1996). Creating classroom cultures that foster reading motivation. The Reading Teacher, 50. Students who choose what they read and have an informal environment in which to read tend to be more motivated, read more and show greater language and literacy development. Krashen, S. (1993). The Power of Reading. Englewood, Col.: Libraries Unlimited, Inc. Teachers like to provide choice in the classroom because they believe that it increases motivation, effort and learning. Flowerday, T. & Schraw, G. (2000). Teacher Beliefs About Instructional Choice: A phenomenological approach. Journal of Educational Psychology, 74, 141-153. 1 in 4 children in America grow up without learning how to read. WriteExpress Corporation. "Literacy Statistics." Begin to Read. Accessed April 16, 2014. Research- Reading and Family Income The average child from a professional family hears 215,000 words per week; a child from a working class family hears 125,000 words per week; and a child from a family receiving welfare benefits hears 62,000 words per week. Hart, B. & Risley, T.R. (1995). Meaningful Differences in the Everyday Experience of Young American Children. Baltimore, MD: Brookes Publishing. On average, children in economically depressed communities have 0-2 age appropriate books in their homes. Jeff McQuillan. The Literacy Crisis. California State University, 1998. In middle-income neighborhoods the ratio of books per child is 13 to 1, in low-income neighborhoods, the ratio is 1 age-appropriate book for every 300 children. Neuman, Susan B. and David K. Dickinson, ed. Handbook of Early Literacy Research, Volume 2. New York, NY: 2006, p. 31. On average, children in economically depressed communities have 0-2 age appropriate books in their homes. Jeff McQuillan. The Literacy Crisis. California State University, 1998. The average child growing up in a middle class family has been exposed to 1,000 to 1,700 hours of one-on-one picture book reading. Reach Out and Read, Reading Across the Nation: A Chartbook, 2007. Two out of every five children among high-income families are not read to daily. Neuman, S., & Dickinson, D. (Eds.). (2006) Handbook of Early Literacy Research (Vol. 2). 61% of low-income families have no age-appropriate books in their homes. Reach Out and Read, Reading Across the Nation: A Chartbook, 2007. The average child growing up in a low-income family has only been exposed to 25 hours of one-on-one reading. Reach Out and Read, Reading Across the Nation: A Chartbook, 2007. Children in low-income families lack essential one-on-one reading time. The average child growing up in a middle class family has been exposed to 1,000 to 1,700 hours of one-on-one picture book reading. The average child growing up in a low-income family, in contrast, has only been exposed to 25 hours of one-on-one reading. McQuillan, J. (1998).The Literacy Crisis: False Claims, Real Solutions. Heinemann. The most successful way to improve the reading achievement of low-income children is to increase their access to print. Newman, Sanford, et all. “Americans Child Care Crisis: A Crime Prevention Tragedy”; Fight Crime; Invest in Kids, 2000. Mother-child bookreading in low-income families: Correlates and outcomes during the first three years of life.” Child Development, 77(4). 80% of preschool and after-school programs serving low-income populations have no age-appropriate books for their children. Neuman, Susan B., et al. Access for All: Closing the Book Gap for Children in Early Education. Newark, DE: International Reading Association, 2001, p. 3. Children from low-income families are at greater risk for entering school unprepared. According to a national longitudinal analysis by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), economically disadvantaged children may know only one or two letters of the alphabet when entering kindergarten, while children in the middle class will know all 26. Lee, V. E. & Burkam, D. T. (2002). Inequality at the starting gate: Social background differences in achievement as children begin school. Washington, D.C.: Economic Policy Institute. Half of children from low-income communities start first grade up to two years behind their peers. Brizius, J. A., & Foster S. A. (1993). Generation to Generation: Realizing the Promise of Family Literacy. High/Scope Press. Children from lower-income homes have limited access to books. Because of this, preschoolers from low-income families have fewer home and preschool language and literacy opportunities than children from economically advantaged backgrounds – a major reason that they lag behind in reading achievement throughout the school years. Berk, L. E. (2009) Child Development (8th ed.). Pearson Education, Inc Half of these children from low-income communities start first grade up to two years behind their peers. Brizius, J. A., & Foster S. A. (1993). Generation to Generation: Realizing the Promise of Family Literacy. High/Scope Press. Researchers estimate that before ever entering kindergarten, cognitive scores for children of low-income families are likely to average 60 percent lower than those in the highest socioeconomic groups, something that remains true through high school. Lee, V. E. & Burkam, D. T. (2002). Inequality at the starting gate: Social background differences in achievement as children begin school. Washington, D.C.: Economic Policy Institute. One in six children who are not reading proficiently in the third grade do not graduate from high school on time, a rate four times greater than that for proficient readers. This rate is higher in children from low-income families and rural areas. Annie E. Casey Foundation, Kids Count Data Center. 68% of America’s fourth graders read at a below proficient level. 82% of those children are from low-income families. Annie E. Casey Foundation, Double Jeopardy: How Third Grade Reading Skills and Poverty Influence High School Graduation, 2011. 78% of juvenile crime is committed by high school dropouts. “Literacy Research.” National Children’s Reading Foundation. An American kid drops out of high school every 26 seconds. The Forum for Youth Investment with the Ready by 21™ Partners. Getting the Most Out of Your Dropout Prevention Summit: Planning Guide. May 2008. Forum for Youth Investment and America’s Promise Alliance. Each dropout, over his or her lifetime, costs the nation approximately $260,000. Rouse, C.E. (2005). “Labor market consequences of an inadequate education.” Paper prepared the Social Costs of Inadequate Education symposium, Teachers College Columbia University. October 2005. Half of youths with a history of substance abuse have reading problems. National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities. (1998). Children with reading disability. Washington, D.C.: Robert Bock. Among those who reach adulthood with the lowest level of literacy proficiency, 43% live in poverty. Among those who have strong literacy skills, only 4% live in poverty. Annie E. Casey Foundation, Kids Count Data Center. Research- Reading and Children in Need 61% of low-income families have no age-appropriate books in their homes. Reach Out and Read, Reading Across the Nation: A Chartbook, 2007. On average, children in economically depressed communities have 0-2 age appropriate books in their homes. Jeff McQuillan. The Literacy Crisis. California State University, 1998. There is only one book for every 300 children in low-income neighborhoods. Reading Literacy in the United States: Findings from the IEA Reading Literacy Study, 1996. The average child growing up in a low-income family has only been exposed to 25 hours of one-on-one reading. Reach Out and Read, Reading Across the Nation: A Chartbook, 2007. The most successful way to improve the reading achievement of low-income children is to increase their access to print. Newman, Sanford, et all. “Americans Child Care Crisis: A Crime Prevention Tragedy”; Fight Crime; Invest in Kids, 2000. Mother-child bookreading in low-income families: Correlates and outcomes during the first three years of life.” Child Development, 77(4). Children from low-income families are at greater risk for entering school unprepared. According to a national longitudinal analysis by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), economically disadvantaged children may know only one or two letters of the alphabet when entering kindergarten, while children in the middle class will know all 26. Lee, V. E. & Burkam, D. T. (2002). Inequality at the starting gate: Social background differences in achievement as children begin school. Washington, D.C.: Economic Policy Institute. Half of children from low-income communities start first grade up to two years behind their peers. Brizius, J. A., & Foster S. A. (1993). Generation to Generation: Realizing the Promise of Family Literacy. High/Scope Press. 1 in 4 children in America grow up without learning how to read. WriteExpress Corporation. "Literacy Statistics." Begin to Read. Accessed April 16, 2014. One in six children who are not reading proficiently in the third grade do not graduate from high school on time, a rate four times greater than that for proficient readers. This rate is higher in children from low-income families and rural areas. Annie E. Casey Foundation, Kids Count Data Center. The sad truth is that the vast majority of children who start behind, stay behind, leading to an increase in our nation’s dropouts rate among low-income and minority students. America’s Early Childhood. Jumpstart, 2009. 68% of America’s fourth graders read at a below proficient level. 82% of those children are from low-income families. Annie E. Casey Foundation, Double Jeopardy: How Third Grade Reading Skills and Poverty Influence High School Graduation, 2011. Each dropout, over his or her lifetime, costs the nation approximately $260,000. Rouse, C.E. (2005). “Labor market consequences of an inadequate education.” Paper prepared the Social Costs of Inadequate Education symposium, Teachers College Columbia University. October 2005. Half of youths with a history of substance abuse have reading problems. National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities. (1998). Children with reading disability. Washington, D.C.: Robert Bock. Among those who reach adulthood with the lowest level of literacy proficiency, 43% live in poverty. Among those who have strong literacy skills, only 4% live in poverty. Annie E. Casey Foundation, Kids Count Data Center.

Make a Referral to First Library® First Library's mission is to compliment existing Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Programs ( mchb.hrsa.gov ) and other social welfare programs by offering expectant and new single first time mothers in need, educational toys, supplies, children’s clothing, and gifts from local businesses and professionals AND educational support while promoting daily reading and monthly library patronage. If you have a patient or client who is pregnant with their first child or is a first time mother with a child under one year old and is interested in the First Library program, please fill out the program information request form to the right for program details and an official referral form. Qualified primary care providers and service organizations will receive a detailed program description and referral form(s). We also accept referrals from the following agencies: Nurse-Family Partnership, NJ. Healthy Families, NJ. Mothering Mothers, NJ. Parents as Teachers, NJ. Healthy Start, NJ. Prevent Child Abuse NJ. Local Doula Providers, NJ. Program description and referral forms can also be obtained by calling 973-610-8833 or by email at firstlibrary@firstlibrary.org . REQUIREMENTS It is the mother's first child. The mother is single. The mother is more than 36 weeks pregnant or has a child under one year old. The mother is able to commit to the program for three years. The mother is planning to/enrolled in an another reading program (optional). The mother is currently enrolled in Medicaid, Food Stamps/SNAP, TANF, WIC or has extreme financial need. The mother is enrolled in a participating service organization program. Name* Company Email Address* Company Name* Company Phone* Company Zip* Mother's Name* Message SUBMIT Children from middle-income homes have on average 13 books per child. In low-income neighborhoods, there is only one book for every 300 children. Reach Out and Read, Reading Across the Nation: A Chartbook, 2007. Ten Things Every Child Needs “ Catherine, Thank you so much for my twin daughters newly donated ride on toys! They were thrilled to receive them today, and were so happy to each have their own. I as a mother thank you, for I really enjoyed their giggles as they played. Much thanks! Danielle ”

New Life Publications 1/1 Press First Library™ offers free books to Chatham newborns January 16,2019 First Library™ offers free books to Chatham newborns January 15,2018 First Library Holds Reception at New Morristown Location November 5,2018 First Library celebrates 5 Year Anniversary. June 5,2017 First Library free book program available to Chatham newborns at firstlibrary.org. July 19, 2014 Ten Things Every Child Needs Video On First Library Website, firstlibrary.org December 13, 2012 Free Children’ Boutique Open To First Time Mothers In Need With Emphasize On Books December 5, 2012 PROGRAM Mission V alidation Impact First Library® Book List First Library® Application Form First Library ® Registration Form First Library ® Shop © 2012 - 2022 First Librar y® By continuing on this website you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy . GIVE Become a Business Sponsor Create a Fundraising Page Give Financially Sponsor a Child Turn Off and Turn On Volunteer First Library® 4 Old Turnpike Road Morristown, NJ 07960 Suite 1 firstlibrary.org@gmail.com 973-610-8833 CONNECT Contact Us Join Our Mailing List Make a Referral to First Library® Board of Trustees Guest Book & Blog Become a Local Community Representative Local Community Representative Free Book Gifting Chapters First Library® is a 501(c)(3) charity. 46-2001321 All rights reserved. First Library is a registered trademark symbol of First Library, A New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation

Parent Pledge http://thenounproject.com The Noun Project Icon Template Reminders Strokes Try to keep strokes at 4px Minimum stroke weight is 2px For thicker strokes use even numbers: 6px, 8px etc. Remember to expand strokes before saving as an SVG Size Cannot be wider or taller than 100px (artboard size) Scale your icon to fill as much of the artboard as possible Ungroup If your design has more than one shape, make sure to ungroup Save as Save as .SVG and make sure “Use Artboards” is checked 100px .SVG Thank you registering your first child in the First Library program. A parent pledges is required for participation in the program. Please submit the form for admittance into our program. First Name* Last Name* Email Address* Zip* Child's First Name* Child's Last Name * Child's Birthdate* Child's Gender* Select an option Female Male I pledge this is my first child.* Select an option First child I pledge to read to my child daily.* Select an option Read aloud daily I pledge to visit my local library bimonthly. * Select an option Visit library bimonthly I pledge to provide First Library documentation of my library visit.* Select an option Proof of visit My child's participation may be revoked at any time if proof of my library visits are not provided. * Select an option I accept How did you hear about First Library?* Internet Search Friend/Relative ReadYay! Wee Give Box First Library Imagination Library Blogger American Lifestyle Magazine NJ Family Magazine Kids Guide News Story Patch Local Online News Site Other Comments SEND

Sponsor A Child Sponsor a child for just $60.00 a year. Give the gift of reading to first born children. 1 Child @ $60.00 5 Children @ $300.00 10 Children @ $600.00 Checks should be made payable to First Library. Donations can be made to a specific community of your choice. Funds raised go to pay for new age-appropriate educational toys, supplies and children's clothing. Please mail donations to First Library, 4 Old Turnpike Road, Morristown, NJ 07960, Suite 1. Please include your email address and the zip code of the town in the memo section of your check. GIVE THE GIFT OF READING! First Library is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization and your donation is tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. To claim a donation as a deduction on your U.S. taxes, please keep your email donation receipt as your official record. We'll send it to you upon receipt of your donation.

The gift of reading for one child becomes the gift of reading for many. Our Story Being a first time mothers is hard. Being a single first time mothers is the hardest. Growing up the ninth and youngest child of a young widow, my father died when I was six weeks old, was like being the first born child of a single (first time) mother in need. I didn't have any new clothing, toys or anything special chosen just for me. And e ven though we lived three blocks from the library I rarely went there until I was a student at the neighboring elementary school. In fact, I was one of the "61% of children from low income families that do not have any age-appropriate books in the home during their childhood". After I became a first time mother myself I decided to make reading, books and the library a constant and permanent part of my child’s life. I would read aloud to him daily and regularly took him with me to bookstores and the library to buy or borrow books. A practice I continued with my subsequent children. Throughout their preschool years I also gave them educational, non battery operated toys to expand their imaginations and develop their fine motor skills. I thought if the practices I had introduced during my children's childhood (reading aloud to them daily, visiting the local library weekly/monthly, buying them books and educational toys plus utilizing healthy parenting techniqes) had benefited my children so greatly, was there a way could I offer such a program to first time mothers in need, who were in many ways like my own mother. I created First Library®, an free reading program for new and expectant first time mothers, the majority in need. First Library promotes daily reading and monthly library patronage while offering first time mothers the opportunity to earn essential baby items with participation. I found a national free book gifting program already in operation but not available in the State of New Jersey. I decided to offer this program as part of my program.* This part the First Library program was originally available to all preschool children, not just newborns, until the age of five. But after much thought and consideration, input by parents, and especially research on my part, I decided to make that program available to first born children only. I wanted to recreate the happiness, joy, and comfort first time mothers and their child felt reading their first books together plus the gratitude the first time mothers expressed sharing the "First Library program" with their newborn children. And I wanted to give new first time mothers, like Diane, an opportunity to "earn" books, educational toys, and supplies aside from the free book program through free reading related activities tailored to their wants and needs. The program, an incentive and reward program, was called First Library®. Beyond the encouraged daily reading of the free book gifting program, First Library® parents could also earn points for free gifts (books and related items) with monthly library patronage to “shop” for more books at our First Library Shop®. The First Library Shop offered first time mothers additional free books and educational toys during their child's first year of life by performing various free reading related activities through the First Library program. An ADDED BONUS: First time mothers received gifts for continued participation. After the birth of my first child I decided to made books and the use of the library a constant and permanent part of his, and any future children's, life. I created First Library®, a new book, toy and clothing program for new first time mothers in need. I found a national free book gifting program already in operation but not available in the State of New Jersey. I decided to offer this program as part of my program.* Just like the original First Library program was designed to fit my vision and mission, to include daily reading and required monthly library visits, I redesigned the First Baby program, now also First Library®, with the expanded new vision of the original and first First Library program, with an emphasis on healthy and responsible parenting. I wanted to recreate the excitement, awe and inquisitiveness my children experienced with their continued and ever increasing exposure to books and literature while giving their parents the opportunity to "earn" educational toys and clothing during their child's first three years of life. This new improved program better prepared children, the majority in need, for a lifetime love of reading and books. And I only began to regularly visit the library and purchasing books after I started working as a young adult. When I married, I decided to break the pattern set in my home growing up and make books and the use of the library a constant and permanent part of my, and my future children's, life. As I prepared for the birth of my first child I attended parenting classes and regularly read early childhood development educational books; most borrowed from the library. During my pregnancy and after the birth of my first child, I read aloud to him daily. I also took him regularly, starting at birth, to bookstores and the library. A practice I continued with my subsequent children. Today, he and my other three children are voracious readers with extensive home libraries. Throughout their preschool years I also gave them educational, non battery-operated toys to expand their imaginations and develop their fine motor skills. I thought if the practices I had introduced during their childhood, (the early introduction of reading aloud daily (and before birth), continued exposure to literature, book ownership and library patronage, the usage of educational toys plus healthy parenting), had benefited my children so greatly, was there a way could I offer such a program to first time mothers in need, in many ways like my mother. I, once again, began researching ways to implement such the program on a larger scale (for first time mothers in need only) and discovered Prevent Child Abuse America and Nurse Family Partnership. Their (and others) home visiting programs are especially designed for expectant and/or new parents (NFP is for first time mothers only) and are designed to teach them healthy parenting skills and ways to nurture their child's literacy skills. I created Most First Library (formerly First Baby) and the Most First Library Shop and later Most First Library Too Shop to compliment these existing programs. It would expand on the model of the First Library program with the focus on first time mothers in need only. Most First Library is designed to help first time mothers in need bring the love of reading and library patronage into their child's home at birth and to help them learn the importance of early childhood development, healthy parenting and, especially, reading. CatherineThe idea to start "First Library" came after my friend, Diane, had her first child. I wanted to give my love of reading to her and her newborn child. I sent Diane some books as a gift for her to read to her newborn son, Lubin. I also sent her new clothing and educational toys). Later her husband, Pascal, a native Parisian, began to read to their son and was learning to read and write in English himself. After a few years, Lubin, who was now reading his gift books by himself, proudly displayed and shared his ever-growing first library with friends and family. After over ten years of being a Free Book Gifting program affiliate and serving sixteen communities throughout the State of New Jersey, First Library refocused its efforts to promote library patronage. The newly redesigned would put more emphasis on the essential baby items mothers were requesting: clothing and toys. educational toys, supplies, children's clothing AND gifts from local businesses and professionals to expectant and new single first time mothers in need only enrolled in their program. After the birth of my first child I decided to made books and the use of the library a constant and permanent part of his, and any future children's, life. I created First Library®, a new book, toy and clothing program for new first time mothers in need. I found a national free book gifting program already in operation but not available in the State of New Jersey. I decided to offer this program as part of my program.* Just like the original First Library program was designed to fit my vision and mission, to include daily reading and required monthly library visits, I redesigned the First Baby program, now also First Library®, with the expanded new vision of the original and first First Library program, with an emphasis on healthy and responsible parenting. I wanted to recreate the excitement, awe and inquisitiveness my children experienced with their continued and ever increasing exposure to books and literature while giving their parents the opportunity to "earn" educational toys and clothing during their child's first three years of life. This new improved program better prepared children, the majority in need, for a lifetime love of reading and books. And I only began to regularly visit the library and purchasing books after I started working as a young adult. When I married, I decided to break the pattern set in my home growing up and make books and the use of the library a constant and permanent part of my, and my future children's, life. As I prepared for the birth of my first child I attended parenting classes and regularly read early childhood development educational books; most borrowed from the library. During my pregnancy and after the birth of my first child, I read aloud to him daily. I also took him regularly, starting at birth, to bookstores and the library. A practice I continued with my subsequent children. Today, he and my other three children are voracious readers with extensive home libraries. Throughout their preschool years I also gave them educational, non battery-operated toys to expand their imaginations and develop their fine motor skills. I thought if the practices I had introduced during their childhood, (the early introduction of reading aloud daily (and before birth), continued exposure to literature, book ownership and library patronage, the usage of educational toys plus healthy parenting), had benefited my children so greatly, was there a way could I offer such a program to first time mothers in need, in many ways like my mother. I, once again, began researching ways to implement such the program on a larger scale (for first time mothers in need only) and discovered Prevent Child Abuse America and Nurse Family Partnership. Their (and others) home visiting programs are especially designed for expectant and/or new parents (NFP is for first time mothers only) and are designed to teach them healthy parenting skills and ways to nurture their child's literacy skills. I created Most First Library (formerly First Baby) and the Most First Library Shop and later Most First Library Too Shop to compliment these existing programs. It would expand on the model of the First Library program with the focus on first time mothers in need only. Most First Library is designed to help first time mothers in need bring the love of reading and library patronage into their child's home at birth and to help them learn the importance of early childhood development, healthy parenting and, especially, reading. CatherineThe idea to start "First Library" came after my friend, Diane, had her first child. I wanted to give my love of reading to her and her newborn child. I sent Diane some books as a gift for her to read to her newborn son, Lubin. I also sent her new clothing and educational toys). I began researching ways to implement my program on a larger scale and discovered a national free book program already in operation but not operational in the State of New Jersey. Each child, regardless of gender, race or income, registered in the free book gifting program received a book each month until the age of five. I decided to offer this program as part of my program.* educational toys, supplies, children's clothing AND gifts from local businesses and professionals to expectant and new single first time mothers in need only enrolled in their program. This part the First Library program was originally available to all preschool children, not just newborns, until the age of five. But after much thought and consideration, input by parents, and especially research on my part, I decided to make that program available to newborns only. I wanted to recreate the happiness, joy, and comfort Lubin felt reading his first books plus the gratitude his first time mother, Diane expressed sharing the "First Library program" with her newborn son, while also requiring local library patronage. And I wanted to give new first time mothers, like Diane, an opportunity to "earn" books, educational toys, and supplies aside from the free book program t hrough free reading related activities tailored to their wants and needs. The program, an incentive and reward program, was called First Library®. Beyond the encouraged daily reading of the free book gifting program, First Library® parents could also earn points for free gifts (books and related items) with monthly library patronage to “shop” for more books at our First Library Shop®. The First Library Shop offered first time mothers additional free books and educational toys during their child's first year of life by performing various free reading related activities through the First Library program. An ADDED BONUS: First time mothers received gifts for continued participation. I also decided to devise a program for first time mothers in need (First Baby) that was tailored to their and their first born child's special circumstances. The program would give f irst time parents in need the original First Library book program, other books and gently used clothing and educational toys during their child's first three years of life by requiring parents to read to their child daily, submit a reading log, visit their local library monthly and perform various free reading related activities. Just like the original First Library program was designed to fit my vision and mission, to include daily reading and required monthly library visits, I redesigned the First Baby program, now also First Library®, with the expanded new vision of the original and first First Library program, with an emphasis on healthy and responsible parenting. I wanted to recreate the excitement, awe and inquisitiveness my children experienced with their continued and ever increasing exposure to books and literature while giving their parents the opportunity to "earn" educational toys and clothing during their child's first three years of life. This new improved program better prepared children, the majority in need, for a lifetime love of reading and books. And as an ADDED BONUS: First time mothers receive gifts for continued participation. V In closing, by refocusing our efforts on newborn and first born children only, First Library can bring the program to new families who are experiencing the love of reading for the first time plus encourage a respect and appreciation for literature, family reading time and library patronage. I hope you will join me and bring every First Library program to every newborn child in New Jersey... and beyond. Thank you. Catherine Tinger Goldberg P.S. As in life the best way to meet the needs of children is to go where you are most wanted and appreciated. After over ten years of being a Free Book Gifting program affiliate and serving sixteen communities throughout the State of New Jersey, First Library, has refocused its efforts to promote library patronage by offering only new educational toys, supplies, children's clothing AND gifts from local businesses and professionals to expectant and new single first time mothers in need only enrolled in their program. Plus, we've made the entire program virtual including our First Library Shop. We have also refocused our efforts to bring the First Library program to more new communities across the United States by partnering with TO4TOT. TOT4TOT, a charitable fundraising service, raises funds by parents pledging to T urn O ff T ech 4 T wo (hours) O n T uesdays (and their children's) to bring our program to the 20+ million children across America not enrolled in our and other reading programs. Visit TOT4TOT.com and help give the joy of reading to children in your own community. Thank you. Catherine *First Library, the first and one time largest affiliate of the Free Book Gifting program in New Jersey for over ten years, is now independent of the program. Thank you to the following professionals and companies for donating goods and services. Michael M. Goldberg, Attorney-at-Law, Providence, RI. J. Anthony Manger, Attorney-at-Law, Mountain Lakes, NJ. Michael F Vernoia, Jr., CPA, VEBCPA, Somerville, NJ. Charles J. Meyer, Attorney-at-Law, Indianapolis, IN. James Howard, CEO, Entrepreneurial U. LLC., Morristown, NJ. Thomas Hubbard, SCORE, Charlottesville, VA. LJ Frank, Library Director (retired), Knox County Public Library, Knoxville, TN. Mara Tettlebaum Goldberg, CPA, Hoboken, NJ. Loantaka, LLC, Commercial Real Estate, Chatham, NJ. Patrick Stewart, SCORE, San Diego, CA. Thank you to the following professionals and companies for donating goods and services. Michael M. Goldberg, Attorney-at-Law, Providence, RI. J. Anthony Manger, Attorney-at-Law, Mountain Lakes, NJ. Michael F Vernoia, Jr., CPA, VEBCPA, Somerville, NJ. Charles J. Meyer, Attorney-at-Law, Indianapolis, IN. James Howard, CEO, Entrepreneurial U. LLC., Morristown, NJ. Thomas Hubbard, SCORE, Charlottesville, VA. LJ Frank, Library Director (retired), Knox County Public Library, Knoxville, TN. Mara Tettlebaum Goldberg, CPA, Hoboken, NJ. Loantaka, LLC, Commercial Real Estate, Chatham, NJ. Patrick Stewart, SCORE, San Diego, CA. I, once again, began researching ways to implement such the program on a larger scale (for first time mothers in need only) and discovered Prevent Child Abuse America and Nurse Family Partnership. Their (and others) home visiting programs are especially designed for expectant and/or new parents (NFP is for first time mothers only) and are designed to teach them healthy parenting skills and ways to nurture their child's literacy skills. I created Most First Library (formerly First Baby) and the Most First Library Shop and later Most First Library Too Shop to compliment these existing programs. It would expand on the model of the First Library program with the focus on first time mothers in need only. Most First Library is designed to help first time mothers in need bring the love of reading and library patronage into their child's home at birth and to help them learn the importance of early childhood development, healthy parenting and, especially, reading. CatherineThe idea to start "First Library" came after my friend, Diane, had her first child. I wanted to give my love of reading to her and her newborn child. I sent Diane some books as a gift for her to read to her newborn son, Lubin. I also sent her new clothing and educational toys). Just like the original First Library program was designed to fit my vision and mission, to include daily reading and required monthly library visits, I redesigned the First Baby program, now also First Library®, with the expanded new vision of the original and first First Library program, with an emphasis on healthy and responsible parenting. I wanted to recreate the excitement, awe and inquisitiveness my children experienced with their continued and ever increasing exposure to books and literature while giving their parents the opportunity to "earn" educational toys and clothing during their child's first three years of life. This new improved program better prepared children, the majority in need, for a lifetime love of reading and books. And I only began to regularly visit the library and purchasing books after I started working as a young adult. When I married, I decided to break the pattern set in my home growing up and make books and the use of the library a constant and permanent part of my, and my future children's, life. As I prepared for the birth of my first child I attended parenting classes and regularly read early childhood development educational books; most borrowed from the library. During my pregnancy and after the birth of my first child, I read aloud to him daily. I also took him regularly, starting at birth, to bookstores and the library. A practice I continued with my subsequent children. Today, he and my other three children are voracious readers with extensive home libraries. Throughout their preschool years I also gave them educational, non battery-operated toys to expand their imaginations and develop their fine motor skills. I thought if the practices I had introduced during their childhood, (the early introduction of reading aloud daily (and before birth), continued exposure to literature, book ownership and library patronage, the usage of educational toys plus healthy parenting), had benefited my children so greatly, was there a way could I offer such a program to first time mothers in need, in many ways like my mother. I, once again, began researching ways to implement such the program on a larger scale (for first time mothers in need only) and discovered Prevent Child Abuse America and Nurse Family Partnership. Their (and others) home visiting programs are especially designed for expectant and/or new parents (NFP is for first time mothers only) and are designed to teach them healthy parenting skills and ways to nurture their child's literacy skills. I created Most First Library (formerly First Baby) and the Most First Library Shop and later Most First Library Too Shop to compliment these existing programs. It would expand on the model of the First Library program with the focus on first time mothers in need only. Most First Library is designed to help first time mothers in need bring the love of reading and library patronage into their child's home at birth and to help them learn the importance of early childhood development, healthy parenting and, especially, reading. CatherineThe idea to start "First Library" came after my friend, Diane, had her first child. I wanted to give my love of reading to her and her newborn child. I sent Diane some books as a gift for her to read to her newborn son, Lubin. I also sent her new clothing and educational toys).I thought if one book could bring so much happiness, joy, and comfort to just one child, how much could it bring to multiple children? I founded First Library so mothers in need, especially single first time mothers in need, could bring the love of reading into their child's home at birth and help to give them new children's clothing, educational toys and supplies. It was then that I decided to create First Library®, a free book, toy and clothing program for new mothers. Thank you to the following professionals and companies for donating goods and services. Michael M. Goldberg, Attorney-at-Law, Providence, RI. J. Anthony Manger, Attorney-at-Law, Mountain Lakes, NJ. Michael F Vernoia, Jr., CPA, VEBCPA, Somerville, NJ. Charles J. Meyer, Attorney-at-Law, Indianapolis, IN. James Howard, CEO, Entrepreneurial U. LLC., Morristown, NJ. Thomas Hubbard, SCORE, Charlottesville, VA. LJ Frank, Library Director (retired), Knox County Public Library, Knoxville, TN. Mara Tettlebaum Goldberg, CPA, Hoboken, NJ. Loantaka, LLC, Commercial Real Estate, Chatham, NJ. Patrick Stewart, SCORE, San Diego, CA. *First Library, the first and one-time largest affiliate of the Free Book Gifting Program in New Jersey, gave new books monthly to preschool children in 16 communities for over ten years. “Went to First Library and loved the atmosphere. It was very welcoming and caring. You knew as soon as yo u walked through the front door that education was top priority. My child loved it there and I couldn't agree more. The books that First Library send out are very age appropriate. My daughter now looks forward to me reading to her nightly.” Rachel H. PROGRAM Mission V alidation Impact First Library® Book List First Library® Application Form First Library ® Registration Form First Library ® Shop © 2012 - 2022 First Librar y® By continuing on this website you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy . GIVE Become a Business Sponsor Create a Fundraising Page Give Financially Sponsor a Child Turn Off and Turn On Volunteer First Library® 4 Old Turnpike Road Morristown, NJ 07960 Suite 1 firstlibrary.org@gmail.com 973-610-8833 CONNECT Contact Us Join Our Mailing List Make a Referral to First Library® Board of Trustees Guest Book & Blog Become a Local Community Representative Local Community Representative Free Book Gifting Chapters First Library® is a 501(c)(3) charity. 46-2001321 All rights reserved. First Library is a registered trademark symbol of First Library, A New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation

Guest Book * A valid email address is required to post a message. Your email address will not be published or seen by others. Name* Email Address Message* SUBMIT Guest Book Amy My Great grandson will just love his first ride-on toy. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Continued success with the literacy program. Stephanie Thank you so much for the baby girl clothes, Catherine! I love the outfits and can't wait to put them on my daughter! They are too cute. Words cannot express my gratitude for your helping. It's nice to know there are still helping and caring people. God bless you and your lovely family! Daniele I. Thank you for the winter clothes for our son it is much appreciated! Russell and Michelle Hi, Thank you for the baby bumbo seat. It is perfect for our daughter. We appeciate your help! Michelle and Russell Thank you for the baby bumbo seat. We appreciate your help. This seat will be perfect for our baby girl. We absolutely love it. Danielle Catherine, Thank you so much for my twin daughters newly donated ride on toys! They were thrilled to receive them today, and were so happy to each have their own. I as a mother thank you, for I really enjoyed their giggles as they played. Much thanks! Danielle Danielle Catherine, Thank you so much for the generosity you have shown my twin daughters! They are so thrilled with their newly donated ride on toys! And not only do they love them, but they have their very own each! Thank you again!!! Danielle Alberto C. It was a pleasure dealing with Catherine today. I think what your doing here is great. Its nice to know there are still people that are willing to help those in need. Thanks AL Julie Thank you so much for your contribution to my classroom library! Carol N I appreciate the Donation I received for my son, we are so thankful to have people like you with a great heart around. God Bless You, Nicole Hughston I love this program, what a great thing you're doing. Teaching the importance of Literacy and starting with new parents who may not know how important it is to read to your child. Thank you Sam Keegan Wonderfully helpful and generous people and a great aim to make a practical difference. Katherine M. I'm impressed with the amount of thought you have given to the program. Your mission is important. Wishing you much success. April Baker I appreciate the help I have received and hope to volunteer my time somehow. Thanks! E. Ann M. I like the idea that you are helping first time mothers and their babies while educating them about the importance of reading to them early and consistently. Also it is a great idea that you are promoting healthy and responsible parenting. Rachel Huffington Went to First Library and loved the atmosphere. It was very welcoming and caring. You knew as soon as you walked through the front door that education was top priority. My kids loved it there and I couldn't agree more. The books that First Library send out are very age appropriate. My kids now look forward to me reading to them nightly.