Mario Batali Foundation & Books For Kids To Open A New Library in Las Vegas

The Mario Batali Foundation (MBF) and Books for Kids (BFK) have announced the opening of another Books For Kids library this fall in the Las Vegas, Nevada area.

This is the fourth BFK library made possible by funding from the Mario Batali Foundation. The first MBF library is located on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. The second library opened in Chelsea in July 2012, and the most recent library was opened in September of 2012 and is located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

This new library will serve preschool age children in an impoverished area of Las Vegas. Together, the two foundations aim to serve sites where the large majority of children are living below the Federal poverty line.

"To be able to help children read ... to give them this fundamental building block to a successful life is remarkable. I'm so proud of the work we've done to champion literacy in New York and we're looking forward to expanding to Las Vegas and giving kids this amazing gift," said Mario Batali.

The library will have approximately 1,000 library-ready books and other learning materials, as well as child-friendly furniture and a print-rich wall mural - all designed to make the reading environment as friendly and welcoming as possible.

"We are thrilled to be building our fourth library with the Mario Batali Foundation in Las Vegas", says Amanda Hirsh, Executive Director of Books for Kids. "Like the other Mario Batali Foundation libraries, this new library with Books for Kids will give underserved youth access to books and greater literacy resources, to help prepare them for school and for life. We are honored to continue this partnership with MBF as we further both of our missions to eradicate illiteracy in this country."

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