FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2020 23rd ANNUAL KALAMAZOO PUBLIC LIBRARY PARTY IN THE PARK TO BE HELD ONLINE WEDNESDAY, MAY 27 AT KPL.GOV Kalamazoo, MI, Friday, May 22, 2020. Every Spring since 1997, Kalamazoo Public Library<https://outlook.office365.com/mail/inbox/id/www.kpl.gov> has hosted the community's largest story hour at Bronson Park, Party in the Park. Due to the pandemic, this year's Party in the Park had to be canceled. So, Kalamazoo Public Library has decided to "bring the Party" to our patrons by hosting it online! On Wednesday, May 27th, the homepage of kpl.gov will be taken over by our 23rd Annual Party in the Park Celebration<https://www.kpl.gov/event/party-in-the-park/>, featuring KPL staff reading great books for children birth–5. However, story lovers of all ages are welcome to attend! The traditional Party in the Park normally lasts for 1 hour. This year, it will be available for families to enjoy all day so they can join in at their convenience. A link to the videos will be available on kpl.gov<https://www.kpl.gov/party-in-the-park/> after May 27. So join the Party (online) on Wednesday, May 27 at kpl.gov<https://outlook.office365.com/mail/inbox/id/www.kpl.gov>. About Party in the Park Party in the Park is part of KPL's Ready to Read Program<https://www.kpl.gov/children/ready-to-read/>. Ready to Read is a Kalamazoo Public Library outreach program that encourages parents and caregivers to share books with children from birth to five years of age. Educational research shows that reading aloud to children is the best way to prepare them for learning to read. Children that start kindergarten being familiar with books are more likely to become good readers and achieve academic success. Ready to Read hosts Party in the Park every spring to celebrate early childhood literacy. More than 1,500 preschoolers attend a festive story hour in Bronson Park. Community leaders and costumed storybook characters read aloud and all children receive a healthy snack and a gift book from the Library. ####