Premature birth resulting in weeks or months in an NICU is stressful for parents and newborns. Without intervention, babies born prematurely are at risk for developmental or learning difficulties and will likely face challenges in school. Early intervention into language brain development positively impacts literacy achievement and school readiness. Parents who read to their babies in the NICU will contribute to their baby’s health and development while providing essential bonding interaction.

The Shared Reading program is offered to families admitted to the Grady NICU. Participants receive a reading log and a new book each week. After reading four books, parents collect a diploma, followed by a completion diploma at discharge. The Fulton County Library System Foundation provides a Books for Babies bag containing a board book, library card applications, a list of recommended books and a number of resources that encourage reading and talking with one's baby.

Since December 2017, 75 percent of families admitted to the NICU at Grady Hospital have participated in the program. We anticipate that this inaugural period of reading to one's baby daily will build a habit. To gauge impact and reinforce encouragement, participants will be invited to attend a focus group at the library, where families will join in a baby story time that models ways to feed babies' brains with books, songs, rhymes and games.