RIF, which stands for Reading Is Fundamental, is a program that supports our third grade readers. Through this program, third graders that attend Mamaroneck, Central, and F.E. Bellows schools receive three free books to help them cultivate a love for reading.
RIF is a federally supported program whose aim is to nourish a love of reading by enabling children to select and own their own paperback books. Our RIF program began in 1969, the first of its kind in any public library in Westchester County. Third graders were selected for the program because it is at that age that most children are first able to read with comfort and pleasure. With the generous support of our Friends of the Library organization, the Mamaroneck Library contributes to the cost of this program, selecting the books and making them available on three separate occasions (once in the classroom and twice in our library) over the course of the school year. During their visits, the children will also be given the opportunity to become members of the library, if they have not already done so.
Help support this program by writing to your Congressional leaders!