TCCL News & Events

The Tulsa Library Trust recently received a $3,000 grant from Target continuing its support of the family literacy project “Read to Me and I’ll Read to You,” offered by Tulsa City-County Library’s Ruth G. Hardman Adult Literacy Service.

“We are thrilled to have Target’s continued support of this project,” said Kathy Horne, family literacy specialist. “Starting at birth, children need caring adults reading aloud to them as frequently as possible so that they will be ready to read when they start school.”

Through the project, Horne conducts workshops for parents of infants through early primary years. Parents who attend a workshop receive printed information on the importance of reading to children, tips and techniques to help make reading aloud fun and educational, and new age-appropriate paperback books to take home and read aloud with their children. She offers the workshops at preschools, day cares and other organized parent groups.

This grant is part of Target’s ongoing efforts to strengthen families and communities throughout the country. Whether helping kids with reading, making art available to all or offering emergency aid during times of crisis, Target demonstrates its commitment to serving the community by giving more than $3 million a week. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its income through community grants and programs that support education, the arts, social services and volunteerism nationally and in local communities.

“At Target, our local grants are making a difference in the communities we serve,” said Laysha Ward, president, community relations, Target. “We’re proud to partner with the Tulsa City-County Library as part of our ongoing commitment to give back to the communities where our guests and team members live and work.”

Organizations that are interested in a “Read to Me and I’ll Read to You” workshop can call Horne at 596-9124 to schedule a workshop at their location.

In recognition of October as National Health Literacy Month, Tulsa City-County Library’s Ruth G. Hardman Adult Literacy Service is offering a free community health fair on Saturday, Oct. 24 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Zarrow Regional Library, 2224 W. 51st St.

Health literacy is the ability to read, understand and act on health information. Literacy skills are vital to a person’s health. In fact, literacy skills are a stronger predictor of a person’s health than age, income, employment status, educational level or race/ethnicity.

The community health fair will provide an opportunity for people to get information about a variety of health topics, take advantage of free health screenings, explore services available in the community and learn how to advocate for better health. Plus, attendees will learn how to communicate more clearly with doctors by asking questions.

Participating organizations include Hospice of Green Country, Life Senior Services, Metropolitan Urban League and OU-Tulsa Library.

At 2 p.m., the fair will feature a computer class titled “Online Health Information for Grownups.” The class will demonstrate how to find senior-friendly health and wellness information on the Internet.

The Tulsa Library Trust, George Kaiser Family Foundation and Tulsa City-County Library Staff Association Recycling Proceeds Fund are sponsoring the health fair. Call the literacy service at 596-7958 for more details.