OGDEN, Utah – On Wednesday, October 4, United Way of Northern Utah (UWNU), Ogden School District, and Ogden CAN performed a ribbon cutting ceremony for the first Spanish-Only Little Library and ABC4News was there to capture the action. View the video here on their website.
Read the press release below for more details:
Contact: Amandi Heperi
OGDEN, Utah – On Wednesday, October 4, at 6:00 p.m., United Way of Northern Utah (UWNU), Ogden School District, and Ogden Civic Action Network will be performing a ribbon cutting ceremony for the first Spanish-Only Little Library.
“It’s commonly said that kids should be read to in the language they hear I love you,” said UWNU Community Literacy Specialist, Andrea Diaz, “If you say, te amo, it is ok to read to your kids in Spanish.”
Studies show that literacy skills develop in any language and these fundamental skills developed in the primary language are key to learning a second language, like English. (Source) The intent of the Spanish Little Library is to promote literacy among children for families in our community who often feel more comfortable reading in their mother language, Spanish.
“There are plenty of opportunities to get English books, but it is more difficult to secure Spanish titles,” said UWNU 211 Director Fernando Morales. “Of the 19 Little Neighborhood Libraries that UWNU has installed, 30% of the books stocked are Spanish or bilingual titles. Having a dedicated Spanish-Only Little Library will be a great addition to the Ogden community whose Hispanic/Latino population is a big cultural influence.”
Getting kids to read before third grade is a big predictor of whether they will graduate or not. Early reading is important because after third grade instead of learning to read, you must read to learn.
“The community has rallied around this Spanish-only Little Library,” said Morales, “A community party with cultural dances, latin food carts, and resource fair will be there to celebrate the opening of the Little Library. Please, attend! Be part of our community. Let’s celebrate together.”
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United Way of Northern Utah is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in Ogden, Utah. Its mission is to unite people and organizations to build a healthy, stable, and well-educated community where individuals, families, and neighborhoods thrive.
