About Us
| Literacy, Learning, Libraries | News and Information | Contact Us |
Literacy, Learning, Libraries
The KCLS Foundation supports programs that reach out and encourage residents of all ages to enjoy 
reading and learning. Each year, nearly 200,000 children, youth and adults benefit from the Foundation-supported programs in our libraries and in our communities. Here is a snapshot of programs the Foundation is supporting in 2011:
Funding for books in the four Library2Go! vans. These units visit day care homes and centers, apartment complexes, community centers, senior centers and other venues.
Books for Babies provides reading tips, packets, books and an Early Literacy DVD to low-income parents of newborns.
Play and Learn is a pilot project at two libraries that involves parents and focuses on early literacy activities.
Reach Out and Read supports conversations about reading during visits to pediatricians.
The Ready to Read program brings Early Literacy training to parents and caregivers.
Fiestas (Early Literacy Parties) offer Spanish-speaking parents and caregivers workshops and resources featuring peer-to-peer training.
The Summer Reading Program is a popular and effective way for young readers to maintain and enhance their skills over the summer and gain a love for reading.
Study Zone recruits volunteer tutors who work with students in the libraries and online. The Foundation 
also funds Free SAT Classes for teens in South King County.
The Global Reading Challenge involves teams in 18 school districts who read selected titles and participate in “battle of the books” challenge events.
Ready, Set, Read encourages elementary school students to develop the reading habit and helps parents be reading coaches.
You Choose the Next Newbery involves students in voting for their favorite books.
Read 3, Get 1 Free encourages teens to read all year round; special incentives in the summer promote reading and creating video reviews and trailers.
West Auburn High School Book Club is a pilot project involving teens who read and discuss books on their lunch breaks.
Your Future. Your Choice. Your Library. This pilot project will help teens with information and resources on college, careers, jobs and financial issues.
Literacy Toward Citizenship offers workshops and workbooks to residents seeking citizenship.
ESL classes and free workbooks help new residents master the English language.
Job Readiness for English Language Learners and Immigrants will provide a series of videos and resources in four languages (Spanish, Vietnamese, Somali and Chinese).
With reading at the heart of the Foundation’s mission, funding for Take Time to Read continues in 2011 and 2012.
For more information about these programs or how you can ‘adopt a library’
and sponsor a program, contact Jeanne Thorsen, jthorsen@kcls.org or 425.369.3450.
Watch our new video to learn more about the value of libraries. |
Looking to the Future
Your investment in Early Literacy and in reading programs will reap substantial benefits for children and adults, employers and our entire community. Libraries provide resources for our families, friends and neighbors and information to launch new ideas and transform lives. Please help us to create a community of readers by supporting the KCLS Foundation.
Used Books for Sale from the KCLS Foundation
The KCLS Foundation sells used books on several web sites, and now you can check out a list of titles available through ThriftBooks. Visit www.thriftbooks.com/kclsf and enter the title, author, or subject and you will see available titles. Proceeds from the sale of used books help support the Foundation’s literacy and lifelong learning programs.
News & Information
Contact Us
 Jeanne ThorsenExecutive Director 425-369-3450 |
Claire Wilkinson
|
 Cindy SharekDirector of Major Gifts 425-369-3225 |
Mailing Address and Phone
KCLS Foundation
960 Newport Way NW
Issaquah, WA 98027
425-369-3448
