Springfield, MA Named Reach Out and Read's Newest Bookend City By bringing on its 18th Reach Out and Read Program, the City of Springfield, Massachusetts has become the most recent and largest Bookend City nationwide. In May, Reach Out and Read and the City of Springfield will host a press conference to celebrate the achievement and present a set of glass block bookends to Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, as well as certificates to each of the 18 participating Reach Out and Read Programs. A Bookend City is a community in which 100% of the eligible pediatric practices have implemented the Reach Out and Read program. Springfield is the second community in Massachusetts to earn the distinction and the sixth nationwide. Reach Out and Read launched the Bookend City Initiative in 2008 to encourage regional leaders, local officials, and healthcare providers to work together to promote school readiness for every child in their community. The Initiative encourages communities to actively embrace the Reach Out and Read model and expand it to serve 100% of children. Here is the complete list of Bookend Cities in the U.S.: Fall River, MA - January 2008 Greensboro, AL - June 2008 Rocky Ford, CO - March 2009 North Richmond, VA - March 2009 Dothan, AL - August 2009 Story County, IA - October 2009 For more information about the Bookend City Initiative, click here.   Return