WESTPORT–Read to Grow, an organization that promotes children’s literacy from birth, will hold a fundraiser called “A Night for Books” at the Westport Library on May 7.

The organization’s programs include Books for Babies, which provides children born in Connecticut hospitals with their first books.

“The Westport community has long played a role in supporting literacy initiatives, and the library provides a fitting setting for an evening dedicated to the importance of books in a child’s life,” a release from the organization reads.

The evening will celebrate the connection among books, families and community while supporting programs aimed at ensuring that children across Connecticut grow up surrounded by books. It will also celebrate the launch of “Where Love Grows,” the latest book by children’s book author Janet Costa Bates. The story was inspired by the everyday moments that help children develop language and connection—reading together, singing songs, laughing, talking and playing. It was illustrated by Lynn Gaines.

Event highlights include:

• Twelve artists from the Westport Artists Collective creating original book-inspired centerpieces, which will be auctioned
• Westport Senior Center volunteers helping craft book-themed decorations
• Farm-to-table food from Zucca Gastrobar
• A Giving Tree featuring gift cards donated by local stores and restaurants as part of their mystery pulls

The event will be held 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., May 7, in the library, 23 Jesup Road, Westport.

Earlier in the day, families are invited to the library, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., where the Read to Grow Bookmobile will give away free books to children.

Funds raised will support Read to Grow programs that provide books and literacy resources to families throughout Connecticut. In addition to Books for Babies, the organization’s programs include: Books for Kids, allowing families to request free books delivered directly to their homes; and The Bookmobile, which travels across the state bringing free books to all children, particularly in communities where access to books is limited.

Find more information about the event here. Learn more about Read to Grow at www.readtogrow.org.

The Westport Library

20 Jesup Road Westport, CT 06880 / 203-291-4800

www.westportlibrary.org

^{_{Founded in 1886, built in 1908, and transformed in 2019, The Westport Library is one of the most active and innovative public libraries in the nation, devoted to enriching the intellectual and creative lives of the community.}}