Milwaukee Doctors Prescribe Library Visits to Boost Childhood Literacy

Pediatricians partner with local libraries to encourage reading among young patients

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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In an effort to address declining early literacy rates, pediatricians in northwest Milwaukee will now 'prescribe' library visits for children ages 5 and younger during routine checkups. The new initiative, led by the nonprofit Reach Out and Read Wisconsin, aims to connect families with free literacy resources and encourage parents to read aloud with their children.

Why it matters

This program seeks to tackle the nationwide trend of decreasing childhood literacy rates, which research shows can have long-term impacts on cognitive development, reading proficiency, and academic success. By directly involving pediatricians and providing a 'prescription' to visit the library, the program hopes to make literacy support more accessible and encourage lifelong reading habits.

The details

Starting in April, pediatricians at several clinics in northwest Milwaukee will direct patients 5 and under to visit the Good Hope or Villard Square branches of the Milwaukee Public Library. There, children will receive a library card, a tour, and a free book to take home. The initiative is funded by a $300,000 grant from the Johnson Controls Foundation and will serve an estimated 6,500 children and families annually.

  • The prescriptions program will launch in April 2026.
  • The initiative is supported by a two-year, $300,000 grant from the Johnson Controls Foundation.

The players

Reach Out and Read Wisconsin

A nonprofit organization that partners with pediatric clinics across the state to distribute free books and provide guidance to parents on early literacy.

Milwaukee Public Library

The public library system that will host the library visits and provide resources for the program.

DeDe Williams

The executive director of Reach Out and Read Wisconsin.

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What they’re saying

“We want families to know that after they leave the exam room, there are social supports that are going to reinforce shared reading. We're all working together to coordinate these systems so that families leave the doctor's office not only with a book, but also a direct pathway to ongoing literacy support in their community.”

— DeDe Williams, Executive Director, Reach Out and Read Wisconsin (Yahoo News)

What’s next

The prescriptions program is expected to serve about 6,500 children and families in northwest Milwaukee at nearly 13,000 annual well-child visits.

The takeaway

This innovative partnership between pediatricians and the public library system aims to make early literacy resources more accessible and encourage a lifelong love of reading among Milwaukee's youngest residents, addressing a critical educational need in the community.