Thanks to a donation from IODE Diamond Jubilee (1960) of Brandon, a book-lending library has been opened at the Crocus Plains Early Learning Centre.

The early learning centre provides day-care service for Crocus Plains student mothers.

Lorna Cowan and Heather Moore of the IODE were on hand last Wednesday to distribute colourful book bags for parents' use when borrowing books. Fifty-two of the books have been supplied by the IODE Born to Read program, with assistance from Manitoba Community Services Inc.

The IODE donated $500 for the purchase of books, all of which are hard-cover, said Bertha Hutcheson, director of the Early Leanring Centre, now in its third year. The IODE says that studies show that children who are exposed to books at an early age and those who love to read “will excel in school.”

“Your baby's mind can absorb more between the age of two months and four years than at any other time,” a letter to parents from the IODE said. “Reading aloud for just 15 minutes a day, starting right now, can be one of the best things you can do to give your baby a head start in life.”

Hutcheson said A Child's Place in Brandon gave them a “great deal” on some of the books, as did Angie Williamson, who has a home-based business selling on behalf of Osborne Books.

The Early Learning Centre at Crocus Plains is licensed for eight children. Two of the student-mothers will be graduating this year, said Hutcheson. The mothers drop off their infants at the day-care centre at the school, go to their classes, return to spend an hour with their child at lunch time, and then return to class for the afternoon.

“They have to be in class for their child to be here,” said Hutcheson, who is one of three staff members of the Early Learning Centre.