Rotary, 'Libby Ready or Not' start reading program

The Libby Rotary Club, in conjunction with "Libby Ready or Not," a local civic group that promotes youth reading, soon will be making resources available for low-income preschoolers.

Rotary International, which is committed to youth development around the world, is making reading materials available to the Lincoln County Head Start and Libby Public Schools in an attempt to promote reading.

Recently, "Libby Ready or Not" presented a $200 check to the Libby Rotary Club earmarked for the reading program.

Last month, Libby Rotary's Board of Directors voted to approve funds for an experimental program that will provide an oak bookcase stocked with 20 books to be given to randomly selected 4-year-olds enrolled in Head Start.

Stipulations before the child will receive the books is a commitment from parents they will read daily to their child.

In turn, the parents also will have the opportunity to contact a retired elementary school teacher who will serve as a resource when they have questions or concerns about the program.

Children involved in the program will be monitored - their academic and behavioral processes - as they participate throughout the primary school grades. After a three-year period, if the program proves successful, efforts will be made to expand the program to even more children, said Rotarian George Gerard.

Gerard, who serves as the Libby Rotary Club liaison to the program, said the club is grateful to the several local businesses for their support in bringing this program to fruition. Among those businesses are Big Sky Lumber Supply, Ace Home Center and Frames Unlimited.

The efforts to bring the project to reality extend to western Washington where Megan Montgomery collected more than 300 books to be distributed to participating students.

"The old saying that it takes a village to raise a child is being tested with this project," Gerard said. "As things progress it is hoped many more villagers will step forward to become involved."