Oregon to Boost Funds
for “Ready to Read” Program
A 33% increase in the Oregon State Library’s budget for children's reading programs passed by the state legislature is awaiting Gov. John A. Kitzhaber's signature. The legislation, approved unanimously by both the House and Senate July 27, boosts funding for the “Ready to Read” grants to local libraries from 75 cents to $1 per child for the next two years.
The total two-year budget for the program, which emphasizes outreach activities for preschoolers and their families to develop an early love of reading, will be $1,408,632. The first grants at the increased funding level are expected to be distributed in December.
State Librarian Jim Scheppke credited strong support by the Oregon Library Association, which made the increased funding a legislative priority. Noting the unanimous votes, Scheppke said, “Every legislator wants to support libraries in reaching out to preschool children who need more exposure to books and reading before they get to kindergarten.”
Posted August 23, 1999.
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