More than 1,000 4-year-olds in Longmont now have their own personal library of children’s books thanks to the Stewart Family Foundation, in partnership with the Longmont Library. The Foundation is committed to continuing the legacy of longtime community members and philanthropists Bill and Lila Stewart by generously donating to fund this program since its inception in 2022.

The Library’s Longmont Growing Readers, a program created through the donation, gives local 4-year-olds their very own book collection to read at home. The program mails four books per week for 25 weeks, for a total of 100 books per reader, all at no cost.

“The Stewart Family loved children and wanted them to all have the same opportunities as they grew up,” Foundation president Jim Newcomb said. “The Stewart Family Foundation wishes to continue the Longmont Growing Readers program in honor of Bill and Lila Stewart.”

During the program’s registration, young readers and their grown-ups can choose whether they want books in English or a combination of books in English and Spanish books, and there are even more early reader books available to read online through the Unite for Literacy platform on the Library’s website.

Claire Studholme, the head of Children and Teen Services at the Library, is grateful for the partnership.

“The Children’s department at Longmont Library is thrilled to be able to facilitate this free book pro-gram for our community. We simply wouldn’t be able to offer this enriching service without the Stew-art Family Foundation’s generous financial support. We so appreciate them and so does the community,” Studholme said.

Sign up your 4-year-old

Caregivers and/or parents in Longmont can sign up for the program if their child is currently 4 years old and lives in the zip codes 80504, 80503 or 80501. Visit bit.ly/LongmontGrowingReaders to register online or stop by the Children & Teen Area in the Library, 409 4th Ave., to sign up in person.