Bruce Alexander, vice president and director of Yale's Office of New Haven and State Affairs (second from right, foreground), joined with city officials to help load books on a fire truck. The 11,300 books were then distributed to New Haven schoolchildren.

University lends support to help
New Haven become a 'city of readers'

Fire trucks sounded their sirens on Feb. 10 as they helped deliver 11,300 new free books to children at 35 of New Haven's public elementary schools and Head Start locations to help kids get "fired-up" about reading in a program sponsored by Yale, the city and various private organizations. The special delivery helped make it possible for every child, from Head Start through grade 5, to choose free books to keep and enjoy, said event organizers, who expressed hope that the youngsters will use the books to start or expand their own collections. A total of 33,000 books will be delivered this school year. Among those on hand to help load books on the firetruck were Bruce D. Alexander, vice president and director of Yale's Office of New Haven and State Affairs; Mayor John DeStefano Jr.; Superintendent of Schools Reginald Mayo; and Arthur H. White, vice chair of the board of Reading Is Fundamental (RIF). "This project supports many other efforts by the University in the New Haven schools and community," said Alexander. "One outstanding example is our America Reads Program in which over 100 Yale students with special training provide one-on-one tutoring in nearby elementary schools." DeStefano noted, "Helping children learn to love reading is everyone's job -- parents and teachers, to be sure, but also community leaders, civic employees, business people, friends, relatives and neighbors. This wonderful city-wide book distribution confirms that New Haven is a city committed to our young people and to building a city of readers." The local RIF initiative, co-chaired by the New Haven Public Education Fund and New Haven Public Schools, is supported by funding from community sources at Yale University, Applied Engineering, the Graustein Memorial Fund, New Haven Savings Bank, People's Bank, Southern Connecticut State University, United Illuminating and RIF, the nation's oldest and largest nonprofit children's and family literacy organization. "The support of these friends has been invaluable in helping to establish the RIF program in New Haven public schools and Head Start centers," said Arthur H. White, a national RIF official. "As a founding member of RIF and a lifelong Connecticut resident, I'm thrilled to see children's literacy take center stage as an essential component of the community." Reading has long been recognized as the basic skill upon which all further education and lifelong learning depend. Strong reading skills are considered increasingly crucial as society rapidly becomes more knowledge-based. One indication of an area's literacy, according to research, is the use of public libraries. The New Haven Free Public Library recently reported that attendance numbers have skyrocketed, with 318,000 residents using the library in 1999, triple the library's attendance in 1993. Founded in 1966, RIF develops and delivers children's and family literacy programs that help prepare young children for reading and motivate school-age children to read regularly. Through a national network of more than 240,000 volunteers (teachers, parents, community members and others), RIF programs provide books and other essential literacy resources to 3.5 million children annually at no cost to them or their families. Nationwide, RIF programs provide about 13 million books a year to children. By the end of 2000, RIF will have placed more than 200 million books in the hands of America's children. -- By Thomas R. Violante T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S Yale's global health program inspires doctors to continue serving the needy Show marks retirement of noted curator Sterling Library show celebrates 'Blacks in the Arts' 'Dino-snore!' will bring public to Peabody for the ultimate sleepover Clinic aims to bring relief to compulsive gamblers Yale 'bakers' show off their talents at benefit event Yale-donated microscope inspires 'next generation of scientists' University lends support to help New Haven become a 'city of readers' Attorney for Abner Louima to speak at 'Rebellious Lawyering' event Study finds similarities in U.S. and Nazi eugenics efforts Retrospective exhibit showcases the work of the once 'most talked about artist' in Britain Black History Month celebration Pioneering alumna to discuss use of math in real world Research on extremophiles may lead to better antibiotics Symposium explores artists' special bond Gifts make Peabody's collections more accessible Yale Scoreboard Campus Notes Standing, Special and Appointments Committees In the News Former European Commission official to present talks Bulletin Home|Visiting on Campus| Calendar of Events|Bulletin Board Classified Ads|Search Archives|Production Schedule|Bulletin Staff Public Affairs Home|News Releases| E-Mail Us|Yale Home Page