Books for Babies: A new partnership gives Fulton’s youngest readers a strong start

Big things are happening for Fulton County’s tiniest learners.

The Fulton County Library System has partnered with Reach Out and Read Georgia to launch Books for Babies, a new early-literacy initiative that helps families build strong reading habits from the very beginning. The program is supported by the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library Foundation, ensuring more families can access books, resources, and their neighborhood libraries during a child’s earliest months of life.

The first six months of a child’s life are a critical window for development. During this time, everyday moments—talking, reading, and bonding—lay the foundation for language development, school readiness, and lifelong learning.

Through Books for Babies, families attending pediatric well-visit checkups for infants from birth to six months will receive a Books for Babies toolkit, including:

• A free, age-appropriate baby book

• Easy-to-use tips for reading with very young children

• Early literacy resources for parents and caregivers

• Information about local Fulton County libraries

In the first phase alone, the program will reach families during 2,357 well-child visits across Fulton County—meeting parents where they already are and connecting them early to library services and support.

“Partnering with Reach Out and Read allows the Library System to connect with more families, build stronger communities, and promote healthier futures for Fulton’s youngest children,” said Erin Dreiling, Executive Director of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library Foundation. “We are thrilled that our donor’s dollars will support this great initiative – and help build awareness about the library’s services.”

Reach Out and Read brings nationally recognized expertise to the partnership, using the trusted relationship between pediatricians and families to encourage shared reading and nurturing connections. Research shows this approach increases how often parents read with their children, strengthening early literacy skills and family bonds.

Books for Babies reflects what libraries do best: support families, foster learning, and create opportunity from day one. We’re proud to welcome Fulton’s newest readers—and their caregivers—into our library community.