A baby born at Paoli Hospital this year might go home with more than a onesie and a car seat. Thanks to Easttown Library’s Leeper Literacy Initiative, more than 1,000 newborn families will now receive a board book — and the tools to start reading from day one.
The Berwyn-based library recently donated 1,025 board books to Paoli Hospital, where they’ll be distributed to families of newborns — reaching approximately half of the hospital’s births each year. Each book comes paired with literacy tips and information about library resources, giving parents simple, research-backed ways to begin reading, singing, and talking with their children from birth.
“We are grateful to Paoli Hospital for joining us in advancing early literacy through the Leeper Literacy Initiative,” said Amber Osborne, Easttown Library’s Executive Director. “This partnership reflects the best of what community collaboration can achieve.”
What Is the Leeper Literacy Initiative?
Launched in 2024 to honor longtime library supporter Dennis “Denny” Leeper, the Leeper Literacy Initiative was built around a simple but powerful idea: early literacy starts before a child ever sets foot in a classroom. In its first two years, the initiative has sponsored visits to local preschools and launched a new parent support circle in partnership with Forth Women’s Wellness — a welcoming space where new parents can connect, ask questions, and share experiences. Every new participant receives a free book and early literacy guidance.
The Paoli Hospital partnership marks the initiative’s largest outreach effort yet. Easttown Library’s long-term goal is to reach every newborn family at the hospital and sustain the program for years to come.
Early literacy matters: research consistently shows that children who are read to from birth develop stronger language skills, larger vocabularies, and greater school readiness. A single book — given at the right moment — can be the start of a lifelong habit.
Learn more about the Leeper Literacy Initiative online here, and learn more about Easttown Library’s mission to create opportunities for the community to learn, connect, explore, and enrich their lives.
Looking for early literacy resources for your family? Find your local Chester County library at Chester County Library & District Center and Henrietta Hankin Branch.
