The Jackson County Library Foundation is pleased to share that we have received an $11,432 grant from the Oregon Cultural Trust.

This grant will help support Baby’s First Book. Baby’s First Book helps create lifelong readers and library users, almost from birth. Through this program, the Foundation guarantees that nearly all of Jackson County’s new families will have at least one children’s book in their home.

"We're very excited about this opportunity," says Amy Drake, Executive Director of the Jackson County Library Foundation. "This generous funding will allow us to update our materials and help ensure that we're reaching all of Jackson County's 2,000+ newborns born per year."

Baby’s First Book packets are distributed in either English or Spanish to ensure that all residents have equal access to literacy materials, including information on the importance of reading to babies. Materials include a board baby book, information about library programs, parent’s guide to reading to children, and library card application. This program also helps to promote local libraries as a key free cultural resource in the community, which in turn supports greater access to books and technology. Library program and services information are included in the packet, and families are encouraged to visit their library to get their baby’s first library card.

Other Jackson County grant recipients include Rogue World Music, Southern Oregon Film Society, Southern Oregon University Foundation, and the Talent Historical Society.