City of Bloomington to Help Set New World Record for Reading

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 27, 2012

For more information, please contact:
Beverly Calender-Anderson, Safe and Civil City Director, Department of Community and Family Resources, City of Bloomington, 349.3560
Adam Wason, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349.2489

City of Bloomington to Help Set New World Record for Reading

Bloomington, Ind. - Mayor Mark Kruzan and City Clerk Regina Moore will be among the community volunteers taking part in Jumpstart's Read for the Record on Oct. 4. The goal of this nationwide campaign is to set a new world record for the largest shared reading experience on a single day. In 2011, 2.2 million people participated in Jumpstart's Read for the Record. We're hoping Bloomington will be part of breaking that record this year.

A generous donation from the Pearson Foundation to the local non-profit Agency for Instructional Technology will provide books for each Monroe County Community School Corporation elementary school as well as the libraries of other participating schools and agencies. In the process, the Agency and the Pearson Foundation hope to draw attention to a growing crisis in early childhood education in America. Today, half of children from low-income neighborhoods start school one to two years behind their peers. When these children start behind, they stay behind.

This year, record breakers will read "Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad" by David Soman and Jacky Davis. This book recounts the tale of a girl named Lulu, otherwise known as Ladybug Girl, and her friends Bumblebee Boy, Dragonfly Girl and Butterfly Girl. Lulu and her friends learn about friendship, feelings and courage. The day-long campaign will involve large and small reading events organized by individuals, schools, libraries, government organizations and local businesses nationwide. A presentation of the books that have been donated to every MCCSC elementary school library will take place at 11 a.m. on Oct. 4 at Fairview Elementary School following the book readings.

Now in its seventh year, Jumpstart's Read for the Record has engaged 7 million children in the joy of reading, raised more than $7 million for early education programs and provided more than 1 million books for children throughout the United States.

For additional information or to participate in this year's event, contact City of Bloomington Safe and Civil City Director Beverly Calender-Anderson at 349.3560 or by e-mail at [mailto:safeandcivil@bloomington.in.gov].

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