Neighboring libraries team up to share resources for the River Valley community
By Jenna Wipperfurth
Launched on April 29, the newly revived Books for Babies program provides free literacy totes for children ages 0–2, helping place books into the hands of young families and encouraging a love of reading from the very beginning across the River Valley. Community support for the initiative has already been overwhelming.
While new to many families, the program has meaningful roots. Several years ago, the Friends of the Kraemer Library launched an early version of Books for Babies with a simple but powerful goal — to place books in the hands of the community’s youngest readers. The early efforts of Kathy Dwyer and Jen Kraemer helped lay the foundation and inspiration for today’s relaunch.
As conversations grew about expanding the program beyond Plain and reaching more families throughout the River Valley area, momentum began to build. Nearly a year ago, Emily Whitmore, Spring Green librarian; Shannon Boyce, president of the Friends of the Spring Green Library; and Jenna Wipperfurth, secretary of the Friends of the Kraemer Library, began meeting regularly to move the project forward.
The initiative came together through strong community partnerships. Organizers worked closely with Spring Green’s Arcadia Books, whose team helped bring the vision to life by curating developmentally appropriate books and finding the program’s alphabet tote bags. Current totes may include selections such as nursery rhyme books, search-and-find titles and interactive items like hand puppets. Organizers note that while some books may remain consistent, future bags may feature different titles and materials.
Boyce, who is also a graphic designer, rebranded the program materials and helped create a fresh identity for the relaunch.
Additional support came through monetary donations from the Spring Green Literary Festival and Jen Kraemer, which helped fund the purchase of books and totes through Arcadia Books.
After seeing social media posts about Books for Babies, a representative from the Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Sauk County also reached out to support the effort. Through that connection, additional books, stickers and bookmarks were donated to expand the materials included in each tote.
The organizers also extend thanks to Advantage Copying and Printing of Dodgeville, which assisted with printing the bookmarks and referral postcards that help promote the program throughout the community.
Special recognition is also given to librarians Emily, Nick and Troy for their organization, support and commitment to bringing the project to life. Organizers offered particular thanks to Whitmore for serving on the launch committee and contributing to the “100 Books to Read” list included in each bag.
Before the official launch, members of the Friends of the Kraemer Library and Spring Green Library gathered to stuff the totes, adding another layer of community support to the effort.
To help spread the word, referral postcards have been distributed throughout the River Valley area and can currently be found at local clinics in Plain and Spring Green.
Families with children ages 0–2 are invited to stop by their local River Valley library to pick up a free Books for Babies tote.
The Friends of the Kraemer and Spring Green Libraries continue to support programs that strengthen literacy, learning and community connections across the River Valley. Books for Babies is one more example of local organizations, businesses and volunteers working together to invest in the next generation of readers.
For more information about Books for Babies or other library resources, visit your local River Valley library in Lone Rock, Plain or Spring Green.
