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FIRST LIBRARY®

help put books into the hands of preschoolers in your community.

FIRST LIBRARY GOES VIRTUAL!

Expectant & New Single First Time Mothers:

Meetings and the First Library Shop are now online.

FIRST LIBRARY HAS BEEN AWARDED THE 2019 GUIDESTAR BRONZE SEAL OF TRANSPARENCY!

READING DAILY

Mothers are asked to read to their child daily. 

Pledge to read to your child’ today!

"I thought if one book could bring so much happiness, joy, and comfort to just one child, how much could it bring to multiple children?

It was then that I decided to create First Library™."

Catherine Tinger Goldberg

Founder

MONTHLY LIBRARY VISITS

Mothers are required to regularly attend their local library and borrow children's books.

Visit your local library monthly and read these children's books!

"I thought if one book could bring so much happiness, joy, and comfort to just one child, how much could it bring to multiple children?

It was then that I decided to create First Library™."

Catherine Tinger Goldberg

Founder

NEW BABY ESSENTIALS QUARTERLY

Receive educational support and new educational toys, supplies and children’s clothing for your preschool child.

"I thought if one book could bring so much happiness, joy, and comfort to just one child, how much could it bring to multiple children?

It was then that I decided to create First Library™."

Catherine Tinger Goldberg

Founder


OUR PROGRAM 


Daily Reading, Monthly Library Visits & New Baby Items Quarterly for 

New Single First Time Mothers In Need

Fill your first child’s life with books from your local library & new essential baby items and gifts from First Library and local businesses and professionals.

APPLY NOW

MAKE YOUR HOME YOUR CHILD'S FIRST LIBRARY®.

First Library® is an early childhood literacy 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that promotes daily reading and monthly library patronage for expectant and new single first time mothers in need (newborn to age one children) by offering educational support, new educational toys, supplies, children’s clothing, and local business gifts until their child’s third birthday.*


Mothers are asked to read to their child daily and are required to visit their local library monthly and perform various free reading related activities to participate in our three year program.


The first 3 years of a child’s life offer parents an amazing opportunity to shape their child’s growth and form healthy habits. 


First Library's mission is to promote early childhood literacy for preschool children through daily reading, monthly library patronage and educational support plus we help children develop other healthy habits.  


COMING SOON!


All expectant and new first time mothers (regardless of their marital status) are eligible to receive a new baby welcome gift package and complimentary gifts (and discount coupons) from local companies through our affiliate program, First Impressions.


Our vision, at First Library, is to not only give every newborn child a foundation for a lifetime love of reading and library patronage, but to actively engage their parents in the process.

OUR PROGRAM

RESEARCH BACKED MISSION

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND PARENTS AS TEACHERS STUDY SHOWS THE NEED FOR REGULAR READING TIME VALIDATING FIRST LIBRARY’S MISSION

PEW RESEARCH CENTER STUDY SHOWS THE NEED FOR REGULAR LIBRARY PATRONAGE VALIDATING FIRST LIBRARY’S MISSION

NEW JAMA PEDIATRICS FINDINGS SHOW PAPER BOOK​S BEAT TABLETS IN PARENT-CHILD INTERACTIONS

TAKE ACTION

FUNDRAISE FOR YOUR COMMUNITY’S PROGRAM.


BECOME A CAT MEMBER - VOLUNTEER.

TURN OFF TECH AND TURN ON READING & MORE!


WORK TO BRING THE FIRST LIBRARY TO YOUR COMMUNITY!


PRESS

2018 Best Social Assistance Program - Chatham

Rotary Club Selects First Librar​y for its “2019 Beds for a Cause” Service Project

2022 Guid​eStar Bronze Seal of Transparency

2019 My Life Publications - First Library in 7 of its 16 NJ Issues.



 First Library Founder Interview

First Library partners with TOT4TOT to expand its literacy program across the United States.

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library




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READyay

Shop new and like new clothes and help kids get READy for a lifetime of learning @ readyay.com

READyay (pronounce red-ay) is a unique online consignment service that raises money for schools through the sale of gently used better and designer women and children’s clothing donated by parents on behalf of their school.

Schools receive 40% of the proceeds plus READyay donates 5% of every sale to First Library.

Please visit readyay.com and help support First Library.

"I thought if reading could bring so much happiness, joy and comfort to just one child, how much could it bring to multiple children?

It was then that I decided to create First Library®."

Catherine Tinger Goldberg 

Founder 

First Library was the first and one-time largest affiliate of the Free Book Gifting program in New Jersey for over ten years and served sixteen counties during its tenure as its affiliate.

First Library previously offered this program as part of its overall program and is now independent of it.

*Some exclusions apply. Not available in all areas. Please email [email protected] to be placed on our waitlist of new coverage areas.

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