Upcoming Events with Reading Ready Pittsburgh Upcoming Events For questions about events, email mark@readingreadypittsburgh.org 1/3

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Reading Ready Pittsburgh's guiding council of local families, business owners, and stakeholders. Early Literacy Community Council Reading Ready Pittsburgh knows that we are stronger together. That's why we're bringing together community members who are passionate about early literacy to create a literacy dream world. The Early Literacy Community Council is guided by its mission of working to develop a strong early literacy foundation for families in the Mon Valley and to foster a literary community where everyone can succeed. The Early Literacy Community Council is comprised of parents, community members, librarians, and other professionals who want to make an impact on early literacy in the Mon Valley. Together, we’ve determined four priorities: Increasing access to books Providing parent support around early literacy Developing creative partnerships and collaborations Communicating the benefits of literacy for babies and small children Members: Abby Duval Terri Banks Pam Calfo Daye Campbell Holly Cherpak Megan Chips Kate Coluccio Mary Denison Sophia Garbos Kennethia Harris Lynne Hughes Chardaé Jones Lynn Kawaratani DaMarra King Kathy Koltas Barrie Lang Carl Lewis Markeya Lowry Joelisa McDonald Stephanie McGuigan Mark Sepe Gigi Stephens Stefanie Wielkopolan Valerie Williams Hannah Zibert Contact Megan at megan@readingreadypittsburgh.org for more information.

Contact Us Have a question? Please reach out to us! We would be happy to hear from you. Email us directly or fill out the form below. Mary Denison, Executive Director Megan Chips, Program Director Kathy Koltas, Librarian Mark Sepe, Outreach Coordinator Stefanie Wielkopolan, Program Coordinator Hannah Zibert, Program Coordinator Pam Calfo, DPIL Coordinator How can we help? Submit Thanks for reaching out!

Birthday Book Gifting Our Birthday Book Gifting program allows participating sites to gift each child in their childcare program an age appropriate, high quality book on their birthday. Birthday Book Gifting brings joy to children on their birthday and provides families quality books for their home library. How you can help: Purchase your favorite book(s) and send them to Reading Ready Pittsburgh. We'll wrap and deliver them fo r you! Questions? Email Ka thy Buy Local from these Pittsburgh Book Sellers: Send to: Reading Ready Pittsburgh Birthday Book Gifting Program 222 East 8th Avenue Homestead, PA 15120 Baby Preschool You can also shop from our wish list!

Read about Reading Ready Pittsburgh in the news. Reading Ready Pittsburgh in the News Check out the links below to see some newsworthy items about our organization 2026 What Germany’s ‘school cone’ tradition can teach us about childhood literacy (Public Source) How Dolly Parton's Imagination Library makes a difference in Pittsburgh (CBS News / Talk Pittsburgh) You can help spread the word: Free books are available for all local kids under 5 (Kidsburgh) How Your Child Can Receive Free Books, Courtesy of Dolly Parton (Pittsburgh Magazine) Announcement Expansion of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (City of Pittsburgh) Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program to expand in Pittsburgh, boosting kids’ access to books (WPXI) Pittsburgh expands efforts to get free books to kids (KDKA) 2025 Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh brings community together for Children's Literacy Summit (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) Books and beyond: Screen-free ways to build early literacy at home (Kidsburgh) Reading Ready Pittsburgh helps kids and parents develop a love of books (KDKA) 2024 9 Unique Things to Do in Pittsburgh, PA: Add These To Your Steel City Itinerary (RentBlog.) Reading Ready Pittsburgh: this local nonprofit offers free books for kids, story times and more (Kidsburgh) Free Children’s Bookstore Opens in Pittsburgh (Publishers Weekly) Reading Ready Pittsburgh turns a new page with B is for Books (NEXTpittsburgh) What Makes Pittsburgh’s B is for Books Store Special? (Pittsburgh Magazine) Reading Ready Pittsburgh hosts open house at free children's bookstore, "B For Books" (KDKA) B is for Books: local bookstore offering free books to help increase literacy (WPXI-TV) Nonprofit Reading Ready Pittsburgh opens free bookstore for kids (90.5 WESA) B is for Books, a free children’s bookstore, aims to boost literacy and joy for young readers (PGH City Paper) Dolly Parton Imagination Library expands Western Pa. footprint (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review) 2023 Dolly Parton's Imagination Library returns to Pittsburgh (WTAE-TV) Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library sending free books to Pittsburgh kids (NEXTpittsburgh)