Discover Our
PROGRAMS
COMMUNITY BOOKSHELVES
Waiting for an appointment? Grab a book!
Free, gently used books are available throughout Geneva on our brightly painted Community Bookshelves, which are situated where families wait for appointments, such as the Department of Social Services and the pediatric offices of Finger Lakes Medical Associates (FLMA), and other sites where children are served.
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Our locations now include:
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Geneva Community Lunch Program
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The Presbyterian Church in Geneva on Park Place
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Child and Family Resources, Inc. at 41 Lewis St., Suite 103
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Finger Lakes Medical Associates, 200 North St.
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North Street School, 400 West North St.
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West Street School, 30 West St.
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Geneva City School District Office, 400 W. North St.
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Geneva Housing Authority, 41 Lewis St.
If you would like to donate to the Community Bookshelves program, please email us at asgenevareads@gmail.com.
EARLY STARTS
Learning starts early!
Geneva Reads provides books and educational toys (basic blocks, wooden puzzles, etc.) for therapists to deliver as part of the county’s Early Intervention program. We are part of the First 1,000 Days and Baby Box programs for which we provide books.
HEALTHY READERS
Each child receives a new bilingual book at each of 12 well-child visits from age 2 weeks to 5 years at Finger Lakes Medical Associates and Finger Lakes Community Health.
In 2013, this program, originally called Books at Birth, expanded and was renamed to Healthy Readers. A 5-year book and Melissa & Doug magnetic alphabet were added to the 3-year-old visit in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
LITERACY LAWN SIGNS
In 2017, lawn signs, reminiscent of the Burma Shave ad campaign that began in 1925, started popping up around Geneva, with quotes encouraging reading and literacy.
"I'm not obsessed with reading..."
"...I can quit as soon as I..."
"Geneva Reads"
"I'm not obsessed with reading..."
OUTREACH
Volunteers staff our big red tent at the Geneva Farmers’ Market and other community events, including various holiday celebrations, Viva Geneva, Festival de Primavera, Mission Zero and more, providing books (and sometimes activities) for the children to enjoy.
Join us at an upcoming event or contact us to inquire about having Geneva Reads table at a community event.
RANDOM ACTS FOR READING
Board members have access to a supply of new small board books to offer to a child they see waiting in line, waiting to be served at a restaurant, or wherever a reading diversion would be welcome.
READY TO READ
Each child in Head Start, Universal Pre-Kindergarten and the Agri-Business Child Development center receives 20 books a year to enjoy as part of the classroom curriculum and then to take home and share with their parents.
STORYWALK
In 2022, we added a 17-station StoryWalk to the city’s lakefront; families walk along the lake reading an entire picture book spread across a 1/3-of-a-mile route. Each station also includes a colorful number magnet, identifying which station it is and helping to teach young children numbers. The book changes several times a year. The StoryWalk is dedicated to the late Stephanie “Oma” Monson, a beloved lunchroom worker whose family requested memorial contributions be made to Geneva Reads.
