Cheng Library Leads ‘Real Men Read’ Initiative The Cheng Library promotes a love for reading with positive male role models in new Real Men Read initiative. Curriculum Materials and Education Librarian Neil Grimes reads to students in the Paterson School District. The Real Men Read program originated over a decade ago out of the Chicago Public School system (CPS), the third largest school district in the United States. CPS launched the program to help students improve their reading skills and introduce them to men who value education and serve as positive male role models in their communities. The program has achieved great success with men from diverse career backgrounds including doctors, lawyers, politicians, and clergy volunteering to read to elementary and middle school students. By taking the idea for the Real Men Read program from CPS and similar Real Men Read programs across the country, the Cheng Library started a new initiative here in the northern New Jersey region. Volunteers in the Real Men Read program were able to read to classes at ten different schools, including six elementary schools in the Paterson School District, the 3rd largest school district in the state. Read Across America Week, March 2-6, 2020 served as the kick-off to the initiative which is led by Curriculum Materials and Education Librarian Neil Grimes. The support of the Library Dean, Edward Owusu-Ansah, Library Assistant Director of Access Services, Nancy Weiner, and the College of Education Dean, Amy Ginsberg and Assistant Dean, Dorothy Feola was vital in helping the idea become a reality. By establishing a partnership with the College of Education, and the Office of Professional Development & School-Community Partnerships led by Nancy Norris-Bauer the Library made connections with school districts and schools throughout the northern New Jersey region to become participants in the program. The Library sought volunteers from the University community, including Librarians, Faculty, Staff, and Administrators who, with the help of the College of Education, were matched with a participating school. Provost and Vice-President for Academic Affairs Josh Powers and Dean Edward Owusu-Ansah were among the first volunteers who read to students at elementary schools in the Paterson School District. The Real Men Read initiative has the potential to reach more elementary schools in the region, obtain more volunteers from the University community, and inspire more elementary and middle school students to grow their love of reading and interact with positive male role models. The COVID-19 global pandemic presented challenges during the launch of the program, but the program persevered. Several volunteers arranged to record their readings which were shared with students. As educators and students continue to overcome the obstacles presented by the ongoing pandemic, the Real Men Read initiative will also adapt and adjust to continue the goal of spreading the joy and value of reading. For more information about the program contact Neil Grimes at grimesn@wpunj.edu. September 27, 2020
