Court Assisted Reading Encouragement (CARE), a partnership between Johnson County Library Foundation and Johnson County District Courts, has received a generous $2,000 grant from the Johnson County Bar Foundation. The program, founded by Judge Kathleen L. Sloan and youth librarians at Johnson County Library, offers at-risk children and youth the opportunity to select and keep a free age-appropriate book from courtroom libraries. Judge Sloan handles many of the hundreds of Child in Need of Care (CINC) cases filed annually in the Johnson County District Court system. The program has now grown to include Judge Michael Farley’s courtroom, as well. These children and youth include truants from school, victims of abuse, neglect, or abandonment and juvenile offenders.  With the help of Kathy McLellan, youth outreach librarian, a list of 66 children’s books for ages infant to teen was compiled to begin the CARE program. The list has expanded to include many more titles. After completing the official proceedings of their court appearance, the judge offers the child the opportunity to select a book to keep. While a courtroom can be an intimidating environment for children, the opportunity to select a book offers a positive close to their courtroom experience. This program offers a special opportunity to children and families in the Johnson County District Courts system at a critical time in their lives.

The Library Foundation thanks the Johnson County Bar Foundation for its generous support!

Photo: Charles J. Andres, Bar Foundation Treasurer; Scott Zerger, Library Foundation Executive Director; Kathy McLellan, Youth Outreach Librarian; Judge Kathleen L. Sloan, Johnson County District Courts.