Collective effort is what makes the Story Town Family Literacy Festival such a huge success year after year. Here, PCPL staff member Leanne Yoder, puts on an impromptu puppet show with a young festival-goer.

Library and MWFB on the Same Page

Make Way For Books (MWFB) and the Pima County Public Library (PCPL) fit perfectly when it comes to working together to give all children the opportunity to fall in love with books and reading. Library and MWFB staff members have been working side by side for several years on the Blue Book House Project, Story Town Family Literacy Festival, and Family Literacy Nights. 

Partnership Exemplifies Commitment to Early Literacy

Comrades-in-Arms: MWFB’s Mary Jan Bancroft (left), with PCPL’s Gina Macaluso and Donie Gignac, both MWFB board officers, have worked together for many years to get books into the hands of Tucson’s youngest children.

By working together, Make Way for Books and the library can be a greater force in promoting early literacy. The partnership allows the organizations to capitalize on each other's strengths and brings an even greater knowledge base to the table.
 
"Our partnership is based solidly on a shared commitment to early literacy," said Dr. Mary Jan Bancroft, MWFB founder and executive director. "Being effective is not just about building a great organization then expanding it to reach more people; it is also about working with others to have the greatest impact in changing the world around us,” she added. “We are fortunate that the library shares our dedication to seeing all children enter kindergarten with the early literacy skills they need to succeed in school and in life."

"We are a great match because both agencies have a strong commitment to ensuring that young children are ready to learn to read when they enter school,”

‑ Donie Gignac