4th Annual Chelsea Family Literacy Day November 7

On Saturday, Nov. 7, the Chelsea Library will host the Fourth Annual Family Literacy Day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Children’s Library on the lower level. While the Library is the host and a sponsor of the event, Family Literacy Day is a community-wide initiative supported by over a dozen local agencies and seven local sponsors, all contributing to the Raising a Reader program in Massachusetts. “This has really become such a fun event and it is an event that draws a lot of young families and young children,” said Children’s Librarian Sarah Gay. “Each participating agency sets up its own activity table, and many of these are designed for children’s activities. It’s also important to note that we have several local volunteers who serve as guest readers for the children throughout the event. This year’s Family Literacy Day includes participation from A Kangaroo’s Pouch, CAPIC Head Start, Chelsea-Revere Family and Community Network, the Chelsea Public Library, Girls Acknowledge Math, English and Science program, the Jordan Boys and Girls Club, Home Depot, Kool Smiles dental, the Lewis Lattimer Society, the Mass General Hospital Health Care Clinic’s Chelsea Reach Out and Read program, the Museum of Science, and the Raising a Reader MA Program. Sponsors of the event include Borders Logan Airport, Chelsea Community Cable, the Chelsea Housing Authority, Coprico, DM Sign, Kirshon Paint and Window Treatment, and McDonald’s at Chelsea Commons. Essentially, Family Literacy Day is an extension of the Chelsea Library’s partnership with Raising a Reader, which seeks to provide a wide range of high-quality children’s books to low-income families who may otherwise not be able or willing to read to their children, helping to foster a love of reading. Each year, Family Literacy Day successfully reaches hundreds of Chelsea families, providing access to books for many children throughout the city. Additional events planned at the library on Saturday in conjunction with Family Literacy Day include a visit from Clifford the Big Red Dog, face painting, and arts and crafts. This year’s guest readers will include Assistant Chelsea Schools Superintendent Mary Bourke, Juan Vega of Centro Latino de Chelsea, Police Chief Brian Kyes, Officer Sam Mojica, and Jerry McHugh.