Welcome Baby !

     The program's purpose was initially -- and continues to be -- to introduce parents and babies to the wonderful world of books and reading.   Originally distributed by Welcome Wagon, no longer in Bellevue, the gift packet included informational materials about services available at Bellevue Public Library for new parents.  Welcome Wagon representatives distributed an estimated one hundred packets a year to new parents in the Bellevue area.

      In 1991, The Bellevue Hospital Birthing Center took over the distribution of the Welcome, Baby! materials, and the program was expanded to include a board book in the packet for each newborn. Including a book in the packet enabled parents to immediately share the joy of reading with their new baby.

     Kiwanis Club of Bellevue and the Friends of the Bellevue Public Library have co-funded the project since that time. Their continued support has made it possible to offer board books for the past nine years. In that time, nearly 3,500 books have been given away at the Birthing Center, which averages 400 births each year.

     The Bellevue Public Library offers many resources and programs for children and their parents, including books, videos, compact discs, Baby Time, and Toddler Time.

     Best of all -- Library Cards are Free