ATLANTA – July 3, 2026  – The Library Dads is proud to announce the launch of “Library Babies” in partnership with Grady Memorial Hospital. This new initiative, under the hospital’s successful “Talk With Me Baby” program, is designed to support early childhood development through literacy and education.

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As part of this collaboration, The Library Dads will provide one of the nation's largest health centers with specially curated Literacy Kits. Each kit will be distributed by hospital staff to families after the birth of their child.

 

The Literacy Kits include: ​

• More than 15 books for infants

• Tips for parents on reading aloud

• List of baby storytimes at libraries

• Guide of local parent communities 

• Carter’s baby products

Families will also receive education around literacy from The Library Dads during the pregnancy period. While the program is inclusive of all caregivers, it intentionally centers father engagement, ensuring dads feel seen and equipped from the earliest stages of their child’s life.

 

“We are extremely excited to partner with Grady by providing materials and sharing lessons that will improve the future of literacy in Atlanta,” said Khari Arnold, Founder and President of The Library Dads. “The brain develops more rapidly during infancy than at any other stage of life. Beyond that, our Literacy Kits are filled with books that helped me build a deep bond with my own daughter. We want other families to share that joy.”

 

The program begins during the prenatal phase, where families will be introduced to The Library Dads through Grady’s “Centering Pregnancy” workshops. During these sessions, families will receive guidance on reading aloud and forming a supportive parenting community. 

 

“We are incredibly excited to partner with The Library Dads to further strengthen family engagement around early language and literacy development,” said Denise Mayhan, PhD, Director of Practice Operations for Talk With Me Baby at Grady Health System. “This partnership beautifully complements Grady’s existing Talk With Me Baby initiative by expanding opportunities for fathers and families to build strong, nurturing connections with their children through everyday conversations, reading and shared learning experiences.

 

“Together, we are helping families create language-rich environments that support healthy brain development and long-term success for children.”

Key Objectives of Library Babies:

 

• Advance Early Literacy: Introducing language exposure beginning at birth.

• Strengthen Bonding: Encouraging parent-child connection through reading and communication.

• Increase Father Engagement: Providing tools to help fathers take an active role in early learning.

• Integrated Health Support: Combining literacy with maternal and infant health resources.

• Showcase Library Programming: Promoting over 50 baby storytimes in the Atlanta area. 

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This program is made possible through the generous support of the LuluMa Foundation. 

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About The Library Dads

The Library Dads, Inc. is a Nonprofit 501(c)(3) Organization based in Atlanta, Ga. designed to empower bonding experiences between dads and their children, expose kids to the power and joy of books and establish a supportive brotherhood of active fathers. The organization's signature program is known as Library Link-Up, which brings dads and their kids together at local libraries to be present, read books and build connections. Tax-deductible donations can be made to support programming at  www.thelibrarydads.org/donate.

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About Grady Health System

Grady Health System is one of the largest safety-net health systems in the United States. Anchored by the 953-bed Grady Memorial Hospital, Grady is Atlanta's only Level I trauma center and serves as the city's 911 ambulance provider. The system includes Correll Pavilion, Grady South Emergency Department, ten neighborhood health centers, Crestview Health & Rehabilitation Center, and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding, which is operated as a Children's affiliate.

 

Grady is home to the Walter L. Ingram Burn Center – one of only two burn centers in Georgia verified by the American Burn Association – and the Marcus Stroke and Neuroscience Center, a Joint Commission-designated Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center.

 

Other key services include Georgia’s first Cancer Center for Excellence, the Avon Comprehensive Breast Center, the Georgia Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, and the Ponce de Leon Center – one of the nation’s leading HIV/AIDS outpatient clinics. Grady also offers a Regional Perinatal Center with a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and is recognized by Baby-Friendly USA as a Baby-Friendly designated birth facility. For more information, visit www.gradyhealth.org.