Books for Babies® Newsletter

Coordination of Books for Babies®

New Coordinator
On behalf of the provincial advisory council for Books for Babies®, I welcome Linda Tarbett to the position of provincial coordinator. Linda replaced Charmaine Lynch who has taken a position with the Deer Lake Community Learning Centre. Linda has extensive experience as an educator and school administrator. She has a special interest in literacy programs and is eager to assist all volunteer groups that are involved in Books for Babies ® programs. Please do not hesitate to contact Linda by telephone, letter or through the electronic hookup.

Update Teleconference
Plans are in progress to host a teleconference. The goal is to speak with a representative from your area. If you have any topics you would like to add to agenda, please pass them along to Linda. More information to follow.

New Calendar
Work on the new calendar is completed and it is presently at the printers. The finished product is beautiful thanks to the efforts and talent of the designer and illustrator, Elita Rahn.

What’s Happening In Your Area?
Note that letters submitted for this column have been edited due to space constraints.

Gander
Merine George, the new Books for Babies® coordinator, is working out of the Gander and Area Literacy Council office. Previously, volunteers within the hospital implemented the program. Starting this month, Merine and two other ladies will be visiting the hospital on Mon., Wed., and Fri. As well, Merine has had discussions with the Gander Bay Family Resource Centre and hopes to extend the program to this area.

Bell Island
Hollie Neary writes that they have had a successful year distributing their Books for Babies® program through the Healthy Baby Club. Interest has always been there and parents even call to ask when they will be receiving their next book. Some children have started to receive their 2nd year books and quite look forward to getting them.

Public Awareness Initiatives

Tote Bags
The launch of the new tote bags took place in Corner Brook on Tuesday, October 2, 2001. A reception followed at the College of the North Atlantic.

Invited guests included Nancy Luscombe and David Randell who represented Toronto Dominion Trust.

Parents, children, school board members, volunteers and other sponsors were also in attendance. Bessie Merrigan outlined the history of the Books for Babies® program. Local media provided coverage of this event. Tell us what you think of the bags.