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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 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)

Learn about Reading Ready Pittsburgh and their mission. Mission and History MISSION Reading Ready Pittsburgh is a non-profit organization supporting the healthy development of young children by increasing access to books and by encouraging significant family engagement through reading. Reading Ready Pittsburgh offers a variety of literacy programs to the Pittsburgh area's young readers. Reading Ready Pittsburgh partners with local childcare centers, Head Start and Early Head Start programs, and other community organizations to meet families where they are and remove barriers families may face in having high-quality, age-appropriate books to share in the home. We're making a difference in the Mon Valley and beyond. See what Reading Ready Pittsburgh has been up to. Logic Model Click image to for full resolution Impact Reports 2021 Year In Review 2022 Impact Report 2023 Year In Review 2024 Impact Report Click here to view Reading Ready Pittsburgh's IRS Form 990 HISTORY 2025 Total books distributed surpasses 100,000 Further expand Raising a Reader programming into more elementary schools Raising a Reader surpasses 40 sites B is for Books' first birthday party RRP hires its fifth staff member to serve as a Raising a Reader Program Coordinator 2023 Second annual Braddock Literacy Day Expanded programming to Home Visitors throughout Mon Valley and surrounding communities Reading Ready Pittsburgh serves City of Pittsburgh by serving as interim Dolly Parton Imagination Library coordinator RRP hires its fourth staff member to serve as a Program Coordinator 2021 Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is launched for families with a 1511o zip code in partnerships with The First Presbyterian Church of Duquesne Reading Ready Pittsburgh partners with Heritage Community Initiatives in Braddock to offer the Raising A Reader Program Raising A Reader is expanded to kindergarten and first grade classrooms at Propel Homestead Raising A Reader is expanded to two Head Start classrooms in Braddock Reading Ready Pittsburgh adds West Mifflin, Wilkinsburg, and Swissvale to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library 2019 Reading Ready Pittsburgh opens three additional Raising A Reader programs Reading Ready Pittsburgh hires their first full time employee 2017 Raising A Reader is brought to MUSA's Little Lambs Preschool program 2026 RRP hires sixth staff member to be Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program coordinator 2024 Reading Ready Pittsburgh opens B is for Books , a free bookstore for children, at 222 East 8th Avenue in Homestead, PA RRP becomes permanent host of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library for the City of Pittsburgh Third annual Braddock Literacy Day Expand programming to Latino Community Center Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is offered to Sto-Rox (15136) Expand Raising a Reader to elementary schools 2022 Reading Ready Pittsburgh adds Ready 4K parent texting program First Braddock Literacy Day Dolly Parton Imagination Library reaches over 1000 children in Mon Valley Librarian added to staff Outreach Coordinator added to staff 2020 Raising A Reader is offered through Home Based Childcare providers First Early Head Start Home Visiting program begins Ready4K is offered to Raising A Reader families Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is launched for families with a 15120, 15104, 15145, or 15112 zip code An Eagle Scout Volunteer builds and erects 3 new little libraries in the Mon Valley 2018 Reading Ready Pittsburgh becomes an official 501(c)(3) non-profit organization Reading Ready Pittsburgh creates a partnership with the Head Start program at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit Six new Raising A Reader Programs are opened Four Little Give-Away Libraries are built and placed in Homestead and Swissvale

Get free children's books sent to your home every month through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and Reading Ready Pittsburgh! Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (Haga clic aquí para español) Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails free high-quality books to children birth through age 5, no matter their family’s income. Eligible Zip Codes outside of City of Pittsburgh limits: 15025 - 15034 - 15035 - 15045 - 15104 - 15110 - 15112 - 15120 - 15122 - 15130 - 15131 - 15132 - 15133 - 15134 - 15135 - 15136 - 15137 - 15140 - 15145 - 15148 - 15204 - 15218 - 15221 - 15227 - 15235 Eligible Zip Codes for the City of Pittsburgh: All zip codes within city limits. Click HERE if you aren't sure. NON-PITTSBURGH REGISTER HERE CITY OF PITTSBURGH REGISTER HERE What Is Dolly Parton's Imagination Library? Each month a new, carefully selected book will be mailed in your child’s name directly to your home. The first book is always the children’s classic The Little Engine That Could . Best of all it is a FREE GIFT to your child through our partnership with local organizations! There is no cost or obligation to your family. Who Is Eligible? Children under the age of five living within an eligible zip code. What Are My Responsibilities? Submit an official registration form, completely filled out by the authorized adult. Notify Reading Ready Pittsburgh any time your address changes. Read with your child and have fun! When Will I Receive Books? Eight to ten weeks after your registration form has been received, books will begin arriving at your home an d will continue until your child turns five or you move out of th e covered area. 8,500+ children enrolled! 209,000+ books gifted to date Other free resources for caregivers Promotional Flyers and Resources Want to promote Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in your community? Click the pictures below to download them and then share away!

Donate Explore this page to find out how to support Reading Ready Pittsburgh $36 supports one child for one year of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (DPIL) $125 enables us to purchase a new initial Raising a Reader bookbag for one child and family $300 covers brand new book giveaways and other resources for our free events at B is for Books $3,000 buys new Raising a Reader materials for an entire preschool classroom—a gift that will serve them for years to come. Every contribution makes an enormous difference to us. Thanks to donors like you, Reading Ready Pittsburgh can help hundreds of families develop, practice, and sustain home literacy habits to ensure all children thrive. Click here to to Reading Ready Pittsburgh's operational funds. Click here to donate to Reading Ready Pittsburgh's Dolly Drive. Donations made by check should be payable to Reading Ready Pittsburgh and mailed to: Reading Ready Pittsburgh PO Box 81111 Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Support Reading Ready Pittsburgh through your workplace giving program. Our United Way Contributor Choice Program code is 19907484. Click Here to Donate Books Reading Ready Pittsburgh will gladly take your new and gently loved children's books to give away in our bookstore! It doesn't matter if it's one book or one thousand books, we will take them as long as they are in good conditio n; not offensive in their language or depictions of people and cultures; and geared towards kids birth to 18. Questions about donating? Click here to email Kathy! You can also shop from our wish lists! Baby Preschool Start a Book Drive We go through a lot of books here at Reading Ready Pittsburgh, so if you'd like to organize a book drive for us please email our librarian, Kathy, at the email address below. kathy@readingreadypittsburgh.org Thank you for supporting Pittsburgh's youngest readers!

Education Opportunities Reading Ready Pittsburgh promotes extracurricular learning opportunities for families and Early Childhood professionals. These programs provide literacy strategies that can be used in both the home and classroom. Check out the sections below for more information and topics. For Professionals Reading Ready Pittsburgh offers professional development opportunities for educators. Our experienced staff can lead workshops several times a year at B is for Books, local childcares, or social support agencies. Educators can take advantage of PQAS and Act 48 credits through these workshops. Below is a list of what we currently offer. Reading Ready Pittsburgh currently can offer these professional workshops: Emergent Reading: An Overview of Core Literacy Skills for Early Learners Nursery Rhymes: Using Mother Goose in Early Childhood Classrooms Raising a Reader Implementer Workshops Using Books to Support Social Emotional Learning Family Engagement: Promoting Shared Reading Brain Architecture and Early Childhood Educators Planning Engaging Storytimes Interested in a topic not listed here? Let us know! We can tailor our trainings and maybe even work to make a new one! For Families Reading Ready Pittsburgh also offers family workshops to encourage engagement around literacy for young children. Throughout the year family workshops are offered at our free bookstore for children, B is for Books. At this time, we can offer the workshops listed below. Are you a teacher or professional looking for literacy workshops for your families? Sites can schedule Reading Ready Pittsburgh staff to lead a parent workshop on site. Reading Ready Pittsburgh currently can offer these family workshops: Importance of Reading to Young Children Promoting Shared Reading by Asking Good Questions Making Literacy Connections Using Books to Support Social Emotional Learning at Home Brain Architectur e Balancing Screens for Young Children Contact Megan at megan@readingreadypittsburgh.org to learn more or schedule a professional development session or parent workshop.

Summer Reading Programs Read with Me! Families enjoy an 7 week book giveaway program to share the love of reading with their child! Every book given is brand new. Reading Ready Pittsburgh coordinates with childcare centers, home visitors, and home daycares to provide age appropriate books. With each book, a customized parent tip sheet is provided to aid family engagement around reading. This program is exclusive only to Raising a Reader implementers at this time. Want to learn more about Raising a Reader? Click here. 1/3 Free School Age Book Fairs Reading Ready Pittsburgh brings a variety of new picture, beginner readers, and chapter books to summer camp programs in the Mon Valley. Interested in a Reading Ready Pittsburgh book fair? Send her an email at hannahz@readingreadypittsburgh.org . 1/5

Community Engagement and Outreach Reading Ready Pittsburgh loves to work directly and creatively in our local communities. Our organization is often tabling at a variety of community events and at partner's events . We also work with the family centers and pediatricians around the Mon Valley and provide them books and resources of all kinds like early literacy posters, stickers with helpful hints for parents, and literature highlighting the importance of early literacy. Click here to reach out to Mark if you'd like any items listed below or if you are interested in partnering with Reading Ready Pittsburgh in our community efforts! Executive Director Mary Denison tabling at a Beverly's Babies Community Shower Specific Projects 1/8 Family Reading Poster Campaign Much like the "Read" and "Got Milk?" public service announcement campaigns of the 1990's, Reading Ready Pittsburgh's poster project delivers a powerful message in simple language. Each of the 20 posters feature a photo of a local family reading to or with their child(ren) alongside a simple yet impactful message about literacy at the bottom. These posters are hung in areas where children and families might be: classrooms, libraries, pediatrician offices, and more. Feel free to request a couple if you know of a good place to hang one! Diaper Bank Baby Wipe Stickers Any time a parent or caregiver interacts with their child is a great time to talk, sing, and play. RRP has an ongoing partnership with Mon Valley Family Center diaper banks to put colorful tips and reminders for parents on baby wipes that are distributed alongside the diapers. 7 5 8 7 1/8 1/6 Read, Play, Learn Spaces There are many spaces in our community where families do passive errands or spend time waiting that are great places to add a reading nook. Reading Ready Pittsburgh has added RPL spaces to the Clairton laundromat, Clairton Inn apartment complex, Millvue Acres housing complex, the Latino Family Community Center, Duquesne Family Center, and even our bookstore! We hope to transform spaces in salons and barbershops, municipal buildings, and other similar areas. Let us know if you know somewhere that could benefit from a reading nook! Books for Family Health Care Centers and Pediatricians Reading Ready Pittsburgh supplies nearly a dozen community health clinics, family health providers, and pediatrician offices with free copies of Read to Your Bunny . Each time a new family with young children visit the office for a check-up or other service they get to walk away with a copy of Rosemary Wells' charming little book. From Scholastic: "This gem of a book celebrates reading through an intimate story and vibrant, bunny-filled pictures. [It] is an invitation for parents and children to read together every day. This picture book promises: Read to your bunny often, and your bunny will read to you."

Volunteer Resources Clearances You must obtain your clearances before reading in a classroom. Reference this document to determine which clearances you need. Need help? Questions about obtaining your clearances? Contact mark@readingreadypittsburgh.org Volunteers and staff gather for a group photo at Mon View Painting Day 2023 Book Lists Click on the lists below to find engaging read aloud books. Great Read Alouds for Babies and Toddlers - Reading Rockets Best Books for Babies 2024 - Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Books for Toddlers - Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Books for Preschoolers - Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Rhyming Read Aloud Books Black Girl Magic: 33 Picture Books Featuring Black Female Protagonists Black Boy Joy: 30 Picture Books Featuring Black Male Protagonists Volunteer Favorites Additional Resources Looking for ways to engage the children you're reading with? Check out these ideas! Do you read to groups of babies? Check out this list for best practices when reading with babies.

If you do not live within the 20 additional zip codes we offer or the official city limits of Pittsburgh as indicated by the zip code list below, you are not eligible for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library at this time.

ParentPowered (Haga clic aquí para español) Over 900 parents enrolled! REGISTER HERE Or text RRP to 70138 to enroll FACT: Balance and coordination help toddlers navigate the world. They're important for physical tasks like climbing stairs and playing on a jungle gym. 1 year-old sample message TIP: As you lie in bed, play an emotion game. Whisper a feeling like happy or sad. Then show each other the face you make when you are feeling that way. 3 year-old sample message GROWTH: Keep comparing groups of objects. You're getting ready 4K. Now challenge your child to identify which hand is holding fewer pennies. Try one more time! 4 year-old sample message Promotional Flyers Want to promote ParentPowered in your community? Click the pictures below to download them and then share away!

Little Giveaway Libraries Reading Ready Pittsburgh builds, fills, and maintains 14 little giveaway libraries in the Mon Valley. All families are invited to take books from the little giveaway libraries to add to their home collection and read with their children regularly . Children waiting to use a new little library in Millvue Acres Little Giveaway Library in the COG building in Homestead. Little Giveaway Library in the Amity Harvest Community Garden. Thank you! All the gently used books placed in our Little Giveaway Libraries are donated from many generous local families as well as elementary schools and partner organizations. Want to build a library or have one installed? Email Mark at mark@readingreadypittsburgh.org to get the process started! Amity Community Garden 7th and Amity Street Homestead, PA 15210 Steel Valley COG Building 1705 Maple Street Homestead, PA 15120 Angel’s Place Woodstock and S Braddock Ave Swissvale, PA 15218 Carnegie Library of Homestead 510 E 10th Ave Munhall, PA 15120 Carl’s Red Door Store 337 5t h Ave Rankin, PA 15104 Clairton Family Center 734 Miller Ave Clairton, PA 15025 House of Soul Catering 203 Whitaker St Munhall, PA 15120 Free Store 15104 420 Braddock Ave Braddock, PA 15104 Munhall 3510 Main Street Munhall, PA 15120 Mon View Heights 1 Midway Drive West Mifflin, PA 15122 Salvation Army - Steel Valley Corps 104 E 9th Ave Homestead, PA 15120 Dragon's Den 1008 Amity Street Homestead, PA 15120 The Youth Department Children of Israel 329 9th St McKeesport, PA 15132 Millvue Acres 100 Marion Circle Clairton, PA 15025 Americorps volunteers freshen up a library Jim, a volunteer, helps install a library he built A brand new library waits to be opened by local children

Upcoming Events with Reading Ready Pittsburgh Upcoming Events For questions about events, email mark@readingreadypittsburgh.org 1/4