INFORMATION FOR
The WP Real Men Read Program was recognized as an Emerging Strategies Honoree as part of the 2024 Library of Congress Literacy Awards. This prestigious recognition celebrates innovative approaches to literacy and community engagement. William Paterson University - (Real Men Read) is one of five organizations that received the inaugural monetary award for, “. . . demonstrating significant promise and creativity in [its] approach to literacy (Judy Lee, Library of Congress).”
Cheng Library’s Education & Curriculum Materials Librarian, Neil Grimes, represented William Paterson University at the awards symposium at the Library of Congress on Wednesday, October 30, 2024. Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden presented the award, and honorees presented their literacy initiatives to a nationwide audience in Washington D.C.
The WP Real Men Read initiative launched in 2020 through a collaboration between the David & Lorraine Cheng Library and the WP College of Education. The initiative brings male mentors into local pre-school and elementary classrooms to read to students, share a love for reading, and serve as positive male role models. The WP Real Men Read program was designed by librarian Neil Grimes, who adapted the program from the original Real Men Read model initiated in the Chicago Public Schools in 2006. The WP Real Men Read Program is tailored to align with the College of Education’s professional development schools (PDS) network of 50+ partner schools in northern New Jersey. By engaging male administrators, faculty, staff, and students from William Paterson University, the program promotes positive male role models who support literacy efforts while addressing educational gaps, particularly among boys, who statistically face challenges in reading proficiency. Many male librarians and staff members of the Cheng Library have participated over the past five years. These include the Dean of the Library, Dr. Edward Owusu-Ansah, who has read to many elementary school children in the Paterson Public Schools and staff member Michael Cadena, who has read children’s books in Spanish and English to many preschool and early childhood school classrooms in northern New Jersey.
Since its inception, the WP Real Men Read Program has reached over 5,300 students across northern New Jersey, serving diverse school districts such as Paterson, Passaic, Hackensack, and Wayne. The readers are scheduled and welcomed at PDS partnership schools by the College of Education’s Professors-in-Residence including Betsy Golden, Darlene Rankin, and Tina Kern. The readings occur both virtually and in-person, emphasizing the importance of reading in developing language skills and comprehension. Readers share their interests in reading and convey the importance of a lifelong love of reading to the students. Research has consistently shown the benefits of read-aloud activities in enhancing vocabulary development, language comprehension, and student engagement. The added benefit of having men model reading for students in early childhood and elementary classrooms has been making a difference in students’ reading activities and their overall interest in reading.
The 2024 Library of Congress Literacy Award Emerging Strategies Honoree distinction recognizes William Paterson University’s success in expanding literacy efforts while supporting community collaboration and academic outreach. The program’s future goals include increasing participation by student athletes, student leaders, and inviting WP alumni to participate. The WP Real Men Read program exemplifies William Paterson University's commitment to literacy, mentorship, and community impact.
For more information and to sign up for WP Real Men Read Program events visit:
https://guides.wpunj.edu/realmenread
Cheng Library Interlibrary Loan Specialist Michael Cadena read to students in English and Spanish as part of the Real Men Read Program.
