STEUBENVILLE — Trinity Health System and the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County are forming a partnership aimed at fostering early literacy and creating a lifelong love of reading — starting from birth.

Upon delivery at Trinity, each child will be registered for a library card and receive a free board book, officials announced Friday. This initiative is designed to help families build strong literacy habits from the very beginning. The idea to register each newborn for a library card was initiated by Laurie Labishak, Trinity’s marketing director.

“Our partnership with the public library ensures that young families are introduced early to the programs and services available in our community through the library. Literacy is so very important to the success of our young people,” Labishak said.

Reading to babies from day one has a powerful impact on development, family connection, and future school success, studies show.

“The first three years of a baby’s life are the most crucial to brain development. Getting a library card for your baby is a great way to foster a love of books and reading from a young age and promote early literacy,” said Misty Teasdale, the library system’s children’s services coordinator.

Each family will receive the board book “Library Babies” by Puck. This book celebrates the elements of a library visit from story time to checking books out to enjoy at home.

The library provides a variety of programs for children that encourage early literacy skills. Babygarten is for parents of children birth to age 2. It’s a lap-sit program that involves songs, rhymes, books that offer help with language development. Tot Time introduces 2-4-year-olds to the alphabet, play, songs, books and includes an art activity.

Children also learn through play. The library offers Play and Learn for parents with children birth to 4 and Play and Learn the Alphabet for ages 2-6. During these 45-minute programs, toys are set up to promote alphabet knowledge and other early literacy skills.

For older children, the library offers Story Hour (ages 2-6) and Story Time (ages 5-10). Children will engage in stories, songs and an art activity.

For a listing of early literacy programs for children, click on the event calendar on the library’s website at steubenvillelibrary.org or visit your local library branch.