Austin, Texas, September 11 – Lynda Johnson Robb and Catherine Robb joined local librarians to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) program in Austin. BookSpring held its annual RIF librarian training at the Windsor Park Library and closed with a cake cutting ceremony marking 40 years in Austin during the 2013-2014 school year.
Founded in Washington D.C. by schoolteacher Margaret McNamara in 1966, the RIF program gives books and literary resources to low-income children and their families.
“We know that giving books to children gives them a better chance at success. Reading Is Fundamental opens up new worlds to children who are growing up in homes without books and motivates them to become lifelong readers,” said Executive Director Joan Wabschall.
In 1974, Austin welcomed the program when approximately 600 children in the Montopolis neighborhood received RIF books. Over the years, it has grown from a neighborhood to a city-wide program.
As a founding board member and Chairman Emeritus of RIF national, Lynda Johnson Robb understands the role books play in empowering children from a young age.
“I am so proud of BookSpring and the RIF program. BookSpring and my participation are both over 40 years now,” said Robb. “This celebration shows how much the people of Austin care about literacy and helping children.”
During the school year, each child receives at least two brand new books and has the opportunity to participate in a book swap.
In 2008, Reading Is Fundamental of Austin merged with Reach out and Read to become BookSpring. Despite national budget cuts, this year BookSpring will distribute over 40,000 books to more than 19,000 children and their families at more than 50 RIF program sites in the Greater Austin area.
