Booties, blankets and a board book! Babies born at Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital will go home with those essentials and more, thanks to the new Books for Babies program.

Books for Babies, is a joint effort between the City of Arlington and Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital. Through Books for Babies, all infants born at Texas Health Arlington Memorial this year will receive a My First Library Card Pack, which includes a board book, a bag, library card, and a variety of hand outs.

Mayor Robert Cluck, M.D. presented the first Books for Babies Library Card Pack Wednesday morning to one of Texas Health Arlington's most recent arrivals.

Two day old Mia Richardson now has her very own library card. "Reading to a baby, even at the newborn stage, is one of the most important gifts parents can give their child," said Yoko Matsumoto, Arlington Public Library Services Manager for Literacy. "When parents read with their baby, they are building a strong foundation of learning and development that will last a lifetime."

Matsumoto says so far, the program's been a success. Parents are thrilled with the Books for Babies Pack and encouragement that goes along with it. "Babies feel love when they are cuddled in the arms of their parents reading a book. I would say that this is the best way to build a lasting bond."

By Rebecca Rodriguez