'Books for Babies' program successful at Bloomfield-Eastern Greene Library

Carol Chaney, a member of Friends of the Bloomfield-Eastern Greene County Public Library, said, "We have had good results with the program."

This summer about 10 moms and babies came into the library to pick up a special packet that contains reading tips, goodies and more.

"The packet that parents are presented with is a Books for Babies kit. It has a book, the baby's first library card along with brochures with reading tips for parents and caregivers," Chaney explained.

Bloomfield Library Director John Helling stressed the importance of reading to young children and babies.

"It's absolutely incredibly important. Those kinds of habits you have to start when they're young, it gets harder as they get older," he said. "Good habits start at an early age."

Books for Babies was started at the library in 1999.

"The national program emphasizes to mothers of newborns the importance of reading to the very youngest member of the family," Chaney said.

If you are a new mother and reside in Richland, Highland, Taylor, Beech Creek, Center or Jackson Township in Greene County, you are eligible for a free gift for you and your baby.

"Please bring your baby in to show him or her off at the circulation desk in the main branch of the library," she added.

The library is located at 125 S. Franklin St. in Bloomfield.

The program is sponsored by Friends of the Bloomfield-Eastern Greene County Public Library.

Helling also encouraged newcomers to visit the library.

Visiting the library not only fosters good reading habits, but it also establishes a sense of community, he said.

"A lot of people are coming in and taking advantage of the new Evergreen system," he said. "We've had positive feedback from patrons."

Not too long ago, the library made the switch to Evergreen -- which includes about 70 libraries throughout the state.

"One library card is good at all the libraries," Helling added.

The new system is also efficient.

"Evergreen is working out well. A lot of people are taking advantage of getting books from other places. It helps us supplement our book collection," he added.

Library patrons with books on hold should be aware that the system automates calls when books become available.

"When books are on hold you will get an automated call from the system ... if people don't want to receive the automated calls, they can log onto my account at the library website and change their preference to receive e-mails and no calls," Helling advised.