Programs - The San Antonio Public Library Foundation
Programs

Impacting Literacy

The Library Foundation strives to bring engaging literary education to San Antonio to promote the importance of literacy, imagination and ideas in our community. Literacy rates in San Antonio can be impacted by intervention at an early age. Reading to your baby and young child can impact them for life. Readers = Leaders!

Literacy Caravan

As a program of SAPLF, the Literacy Caravan aligns with our mission – to strengthen the library in service to our community by promoting family literacy and its role in a child’s future success, and fostering a love of reading, increasing the number of library card holders in the San Antonio community and creating a connection between families and the library. We strive to positively impact San Antonio’s 25% illiteracy rate by reaching out to schools with children from all socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds, with a focus on districts in town with underserved communities.

 - The San Antonio Public Library Foundation

The Literacy Caravan offers opportunities for parent/child interaction, interactive play and sharing books with their children. The Caravan shares early literacy and library information in a variety of formats designed to best meet the needs and interests of each group. Since its inception, the Literacy Caravan has impacted more than 125,000 children and families who all take home a free book to promote continued literacy in the home. The Literacy Caravan is currently funded for 70 visits annually to schools, community centers, festivals, and businesses across our city. Our goal is to create a generation of young readers who will drag their families to the library, and fully experience all the library has to offer!

Born To Read - The San Antonio Public Library Foundation

Born To Read

Born to Read was founded to commemorate the San Antonio Public Library’s 100th anniversary in 2003 by gifting every baby born in San Antonio that year a free “birthday book.” Still going strong after 20 years, Born to Read promotes, encourages, and supports early childhood literacy development through the distribution of pre-k books throughout our community.

Born to Read initially distributed purchased board books intended for infants, babies, and toddlers through the maternity facilities of area hospitals. The program has since expanded to medical clinics as well as other nonprofit and municipal organizations that provide family services throughout Bexar County. Additionally, Born to Read has published a series of bilingual board books, Arte Kids, in partnership with Trinity University Press and the San Antonio Museum of art, that feature artworks from the museum’s vast collection.

Born to Read looks forward to strengthening its role as a strategic resource and distribution point for free pre-K books for individuals, families, and communities that will most benefit. We are proud and grateful to partner with other important nonprofits and organizations committed to supporting early childhood literacy in San Antonio.