Family Reading Partnership Alliance

The Family Reading Partnership Alliance is comprised of dedicated groups in different communities who share FRP's values and philosophies and use our program models to connect families to the joy of reading. Alliance members tailor programs to meet their communities' needs.



Family Reading Partnership Alliance members came together to share ideas and inspiration on February 23, 2011 at the La Tourelle Resort in Ithaca. 8 of the 11 Alliance member groups were represented.

Family Reading Partnership of Cortland County, NY, since 2003

FRP of CC's Books to Grow On program includes all pediatricians and general practitioners that serve children in Cortland County. Like the Family Reading Partnership model in Tompkins County, Cortland County FRP provides beautiful, new, age-appropriate children's books for doctors to give to children during six different well-visits, ages six months to four years old.

FRP of CC also provides Cortland area families with Books at Birth (parents of all babies born at the local hospital receive a book); Welcome to School Book (all kindergartners receive a book at school registration); Bright Red Bookshelves (gently used books are free for families to choose and keep); Give the Gift of Family Reading (new books are given to families at the holidays to use as gifts for their children); and Book Express (50 different book bags with five books each are available for families to borrow).

Family Reading Partnership of Chemung Valley, since 2004

Driving through Elmira, NY, you may come across some lively Read to Me! banners on area buildings. Family Reading Partnership of Chemung Valley is promoting family reading with banners, Books at Birth, Kinderbook (library cards and library field trip for all kindergartners), Bright Red Bookshelves, an annual Kids' Book Fest, Need to Read monthly articles in the Star Gazette, book list pamphlets, and by supporting their local Reach Out and Read program at doctors' offices. See more about Family Reading Partnership of Chemung Valley's programs at www.familyreadingpartnership.org.

Read to Me, Charlotte!, since 2005

Read to Me, Charlotte!, coordinated by the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County (NC), gives families a new board book and library card application for their baby upon birth through the Your Baby Is a Born Reader! program. The group also has four Read to Me Charlotte! bookshelves, where resource-challenged families can pick up gently used children's books. Learn more, including tips and activities for parents and teachers on how to raise a reader and a list of programs coordinated by their literacy partners, at www.readtomecharlotte.org.

Geneva Reads!, since 2008

Every baby born in Geneva, NY, receives a book funded by the Geneva Public Library and Hospital Auxilary. Families can also choose gently used children's books from four Bright Red Bookshelves in the Geneva community. School children receive a Welcome to School Book when entering kindergarten and children of all ages enjoy the annual Kids' Book Fest put on by Geneva Reads! See more at their website: www.genevareads.org.

Seneca County Literacy Partnership, since 2008

Seneca County Literacy Partnership includes the communities of Interlaken, Romulus, Ovid, and Waterloo, NY, who have partnered to bring awareness of the benefits of reading to young children and give encouragement to families to read to their children right from the start.

Family Reading Partnership of Owego Apalachin, since 2009

Based in the Owego-Apalachin School District in Tioga County, NY, FRP of OA is planning their Books at Birth and Books to Grow On programs to reach children before they enter school. Already in place, kindergartners take home a Welcome to School Book at registration and receive a Birthday Book from their principal during the school year. The group uses Read to Me! banners as a way to spread the reading message in their community. "Walk for Books" is held on National Youth Service Day in April each year as a way to collect used books for their Bright Red Bookshelves.

Read to Me Steuben!, since 2009

Based In Bath, NY with Pro-Action of Steuben and Yates Counties, NY, this group has an extensive network of Bright Red Bookshelves in both counties that provide gently used books to families.

Wayne County Books From Birth, since 2010

WC BFB has a Bright Green Bookshelf storefront in Lyons, NY, that is staffed by volunteers where families can browse for gently used children's books. They also have numerous green bookshelves throughout their county.

Family Reading Partnership of Harpursville, new in 2011

Starting with initiatives in the Harpursville School District in Broome County, NY, FRP of HV gives incoming kindergartners a Welcome to School Book and has a Bright Red Bookshelf at the elementary school with a banner promoting "Read to Me!"