Alliant Energy : May 11, 2009

MADISON, WI – May 11, 2009 – The Alliant Energy Foundation is pleased to announce that it has provided a $600 grant to the Marion Public Library in support of childhood literacy for area youth. The financial contribution will help to fund the library’s new “Read with Me” program. The Read with Me program teaches parents the strategies and importance of interactive reading as well as skills to help their children develop good reading habits and provide a foundation for language and literacy.

“Teaching children better reading skills and a love of reading is critical to their future personal and professional success and happiness,” said Barbara Swan, Alliant Energy Foundation President. “We are delighted to provide funding to the Marion Public Library for the Read with Me program and we encourage parents to get involved with it.”

The Alliant Energy Foundation grant will be used to purchase over 90 books that will be read by the facilitators and the families that participate in the Read with Me program. Facilitators will utilize large board books made of hard cardboard when they lead the program, while dozens of smaller books will be distributed to families and children as they participate.

“We appreciate the support from the Alliant Energy Foundation for our Read with Me program,” said Trinitie Wilke, Library Director. “It’s important for our community to promote and encourage greater childhood literacy and the grant will go directly toward providing the tools to do just that.”

The Marion Public Library is a member of the Outagamie Waupaca Library System (OWLS). OWLS is also affiliated with the Nicolet Federated Library System (which includes Shawano County). The Library offers a number of adult and children’s programs like its Teen/Adult Summer Reading program, Books on Wheels, book discussions, and a Teen After School initiative. In addition to the $600 grant for the Read with Me program, Alliant Energy also recently donated three used laptop computers to the library for its Teen Revitalization program – an initiative to bring teens back into the library.

Media Contact: Scott Reigstad, (608) 458-3145