In an effort to expand nutrition education options, the Library Plan “Read To Your Child” is offered to WIC participants whose children are six months to five years of age and to pregnant and breastfeeding women as a nutrition education option. If this option is chosen, the expectant mother or the parent and child go to their local library and read the age appropriate book on food, eating, nutrition or breastfeeding. In addition to the children’s books, the breastfeeding reference books help WIC participants and the community answer questions about breastfeeding and the benefits to mother and baby.

The goals of the Library plan are to promote early literacy, parent/child bonding, and breastfeeding education in the community.

The Library Plan “Read to Your Child” started in 2002 with one library in Arlington, Texas. To date, the program has increased to twenty-two libraries in Tarrant County, including ten in Fort Worth, six in Arlington and six in neighboring cities. The number of WIC participants who have taken part in the Library Plan has increased steadily each year. In 2004 over 2,400 participants chose this option for their nutrition education. One of the key elements in the success of the plan is the development of cooperation and collaboration with the libraries in the community. To date, the surveys and feedback from the WIC participants and the libraries indicate the program has been an effective link to promoting early literacy and healthy eating.