Books and reading need to be a part of every child’s life, and it’s fun to see the Lawrence Public Library finding new ways to reach out to parents and youngsters in the community.

Last week, the library announced it is starting a new program that will send a library-card application home with every baby born at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. The packet of materials that goes home with babies and the parents will include not only the application but a schedule of children’s activities such as Books & Babies and storytime. The idea is to stress the importance of reading to young children and make books and reading a part of their lives from the start.

The cooperative effort with LMH is a natural extension of the library’s Dr. Bob Reader program established nearly three years ago to honor former Kansas University Athletic Director Bob Frederick who died as a result of a bicycle accident in 2009. It’s one thing to check out books at the library, but having a book to take home and keep is a special treat for youngsters. The Dr. Bob Reader program makes that possible by allowing children (or their parents) to pick out a book to keep when they sign up for their first library cards.

Reading is a vital skill but it also should be fun, and trips to the library should be a fun and exciting excursion for children. Various library reading programs offer a wonderful (and free!) way for parents and children to get out of the house and interact in a positive way. Whether families are checking out books or exploring other resources, a visit to the public library is a great way to inspire curiosity and exploration.

The renovated Lawrence Public Library provides many services for local adults, but one of its most important roles may be to draw in community children and help them establish reading habits that will benefit them throughout their lives. It’s nice to see the library looking for new ways to facilitate that goal.