The Lewiston Public Library Children’s Department recently received an anonymous donation of $5,000 in support of the BookReach program at the Lewiston and Auburn public libraries, according to a news release from the Lewiston library.

The funds will be used to purchase new books, canvas bags, and other literacy-enriching items that will support the BookReach mission: to help raise a community of readers by enriching the lives of young children through the pleasure of reading.

“We are so thankful for this generous donation. This will help create lasting positive impacts on each child’s educational development and support the future vision of connecting the library with early learning providers, their students, and families. Our goal is to make literacy an integral part of children’s lives and encourage them to become lifelong learners,” said Lewiston’s children’s librarian, Sara Turner.

BookReach is an early childhood literacy program supported by the Lewiston and Auburn libraries, serving Lewiston, Auburn and Minot. Volunteer readers bring story times and books to children in licensed family childcare homes and preschool center classrooms. BookReach volunteers share weekly stories, songs and collections of books with children who may not have the opportunity to visit a library on a regular basis.

The BookReach program fosters intergenerational relationships between children and their volunteer readers. Reading sessions are currently virtual so that readers can be safely unmasked, offering children a chance to visually connect emotions and feelings with full facial expressions.

BookReach is accepting applications for volunteers and childcare providers. Readers must be 18 or older and pass a Department of Health and Human Services background check. Time commitment is approximately one hour per week. All training and materials are provided.

For more information, or to apply as a volunteer reader or childcare provider, contact Miranda Fortin, BookReach coordinator for the Lewiston and Auburn public libraries, at 207-513-3004 ext. 3515 or [email protected].