On Wednesday, I was joined by Enoch Pratt Free Library CEO Carla Hayden, Baltimore City Public Schools CEO Andrés Alonso, Verizon executives Joseph Daniels and Jason Groves, and students from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School to announce a special program that will insure every Baltimore City ninth grader registers for a library card.
 
As the mother of a ninth grader and someone who grew up in the Pratt library, I understand how critical Pratt's services are to a young person's education and development.  Not only do our libraries offer the extra support children need to excel in their studies today, they also have the tools to open up their imaginations and futures to endless possibilities.  We want every 9th grade student to know about the resources that are available at our libraries and how invaluable they can be during their high school years and in preparation for college or future careers. 
 
Since September, the Pratt Library and the Baltimore City Public Schools have teamed up to insure that every ninth grader in Baltimore has a library card.  Pratt Library staff members have been visiting schools and registering students allowing them to sign-up without visiting the library. So far nearly 1,600 ninth graders, or approximately a third of our ninth graders, have registered for a library card.  As part of this sign-up drive, Verizon will be sponsoring a radio campaign themed "Be More Read More", which will build awareness about this initiative and encourage students to sign up.  Ninth grader students with outstanding fines and fees will have a one-time amnesty to give them a fresh start.
 
The Enoch Pratt Free Library is one of our City's best kept secrets.  In our recent citizen survey, we found that an overwhelming amount of residents that use the library are extremely pleased with the customer service and resources.  However, most residents don't use the libraries.  We want to change that and to begin that change with our young people.  The motto of the Pratt is "Your Journey Starts Here".  Join me in encouraging each one of our young people to start their journey today, and spread the word about the Pratt to your friends, family and neighbors.

Sincerely,