LEWISTON – The Auburn and Lewiston public libraries have hired Kathleen Demers as BookReach program coordinator.

BookReach is a collaboration between the Lewiston Aspirations Partnership, Androscoggin Head Start and Child Care and the Auburn and Lewiston libraries. The program promotes early childhood literacy and a readiness for learning and reading.

Each BookReach volunteer reader is matched with a licensed child care home in Lewiston or Auburn. There, he or she visits toddlers and preschoolers to bring and read from a different bag of quality books each time. Often, songs and nursery rhymes are part of the experience. The children and their care provider enjoy that bag of books until the reader brings a new bag with the next visit.

Demers has been involved in education for several years. She has participated in and organized group educational activities for children of all ages, both in Lewiston-Auburn and in surrounding communities. She has led discussions and workshops for adults as well.

Demers welcomes the opportunity to speak to community service organizations, church groups and others interested in reading aloud and inspiring a love of literature in community’s young citizens. In addition, home-based child care providers who are interested in having a reader visit can reach her at 784-0135, extension 213.