Literacy Coalition of Oswego County

The purpose of this newsletter is to connect the mission of the Literacy Coalition of Oswego County (LCOC) with the community that we serve.

When you GIVE to the Literacy Coalition of Oswego County, (LCOC), you’re helping literacy services for everyone in our county from preschoolers to retirees.

ONE of the community initiatives your donation will support is Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, gifting books to children from birth until their fifth birthday.

Here's what parents are saying about the impact Imagination Library has had on their lives:

• "New book day" is our favorite day of the month. My daughter has always loved books, but Imagination Library has brought us some new family favorites that we come back to again and again. Thank you for this wonderful program, and for bringing a little extra joy to our family!"
• "This has been a great program. She loves to read the book with me right away when it comes. She often goes back to look at the pictures and retell the story to me throughout the month as we wait for the next one. She will be sad when it ends."

• "This has been such a nice gift in the mail every month. We always pass on books we outgrow or donate them to share them with others. Thanks so much. My son loves getting books in the mail. Most of the ones he has received has become favorites. He has delays (mostly speech) and his excitement about getting books in the mail has really helped him with wanting to be read to. Thank you for such a great program!"

• "This has been an amazing program. We read every night and getting a new book every month is always a treat. So many tell me how smart my son is and I truly believe nightly reading has had a huge part in it. Books are the best!!"

• "All the books were wonderful and it was amazing to have such a great program like this."

Won’t you please keep these vital efforts growing by making a tax-deductible donation to LCOC? We’re partners with the Weston T. Hyde Foundation, a 501( c ) 3 non-profit.

It’s easy! Click here!

If you prefer to send a check, payment should be made out to

“WTHOCEF” and mailed to: WTHOCEF, P.O. Box 3124, Oswego, NY 13126

Thank you for your ongoing support!

• Since November 2018- 4,692 children have registered in Oswego County Imagination Library.
• As of August 31, 2022- 2,796 children are active in the program (children age out of the program on their 5th birthday)
• As of August 31, 2022- 81,995 books have been distributed in total
• 44% of children between birth and five years old are registered for Imagination Library in Oswego County!

The Oswego Bookmobile is a recreational seven-week summer literacy program.

Summer Reading Slide affects all children but disproportionately affects economically disadvantaged children. Children obtain most of their reading materials from school, either class assignments or library selections for recreational reading.

When school is not in session, many children lose access to engaging materials as well as the mentoring relationships they build with teachers and library staff. Oswego Bookmobile is focused on providing fun, popular books to children in our community when school is out. This will help them maintain the skills they work so hard to gain during the school year.

With the generous support of the greater Oswego community, the Oswego Bookmobile wrapped up the 2022 Driving Books Home summer literacy program.

The bookmobile visited 15 sites in Scriba, the town of Oswego, and the city of Oswego.

1,575 children selected 3,659 books as well as healthy snacks.

The summer reading theme was "Oceans of Possibilities." Oswego Bookmobile distributed Grab-n-Go STEAM bags with funding from Oswego City/County Youth Bureau. A different bag was available each week and supported the weekly reading theme.

Oswego Bookmobile also participated in events that supported youth development and summer literacy as well as bookmobile fundraising events. 1,297 gently loved books were selected by children at these events. A total of 4,956 books were distributed as well as 664 STEAM activity bags with activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Next summer (2023) the theme will be "All Together Now" celebrating kindness, friendship, and unity. Looking forward to "Driving Books Home" in 2023!

Click here to read an article about how reading aloud to children develops a deeper understanding of language and is one of the ways to help with learning loss due to Covid.

LCOC is a diverse group of agencies, institutions, businesses, and volunteers, joining together to address the literacy needs of people of all ages in Oswego County.

Would you like to get involved? Click here to contact us.

Where do you work, how long have you been there and what is your job title?

I am a retired educator. I began my career in the North Syracuse School District as an 8th Grade Social Studies teacher. In 1978, I came to the Fulton City School District and served as GRB High School Assistant Principal, Principal, Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent. I am currently working as a volunteer co-chair for the replication of Imagination Library in Oswego County.

Why did you become involved in LCOC?

Thirty-eight years in education taught me children need strong literacy skills to succeed in school and in life. I joined the Literacy Coalition because I believe in its mission to improve literacy skills for adults in Oswego County. Adults with strong literacy skills have broader choices for employment opportunities. As parents, they share those literacy skills with their children.

What are you most proud of as a member of LCOC?

As a member of the Literacy Coalition of Oswego County, I am proud of all the programs our network of agencies provides to improve literacy. I am especially proud of the recent emphasis on Early Childhood Education. Imagination Library is currently a grant-funded program that provides an age appropriate, quality book monthly to any child who lives in Oswego County between birth and their 5th birthday. Currently over 43% of eligible children in the County are participating in the program.

What would you like to see next for LCOC?

To be recognized and support by the community for the important work it does. The Literacy Coalition of Oswego County is a network of agencies, institutions, businesses and volunteers promoting literacy and advocating for literacy services in Oswego County so that residents of all ages enjoy the empowering benefits of strong literacy skills.

What's the title of the last book you read?

My favorite authors are Jeffery Deaver, James Patterson and C.J. Box. The last book I read was Patterson’s Twenty-Two Seconds. I just started Patterson’s Run Rose Run.

What brings you joy?

My extended family. My wife and I are lucky enough to have our children and their children nearby.

Follow us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/LiteracyCoalitionOfOswegoCounty

Visit our website at: https://www.literacycoalitionofoswegocounty.com/