As part of the Michigan Reads! program, the Wayne State University Library System will host President Irvin Reid to read "Barnyard Song," the 2004 Michigan Reads! selection, to community preschoolers in the atrium of the David Adamany Undergraduate Library on April 20 at 10 a.m.

Michigan Reads! One State, One Preschool Book is a community-wide reading program where all participants read the same book during the same time frame. For the most part, "one book" projects have concentrated on books for adults but Michigan Reads! highlights the importance of family literacy by focusing on a picture book targeted at children up to age 5. "Barnyard Song," by Rhonda Gowler Greene was publicly voted as this year's selection on the Michigan Reads! Web site.

"President Reid's willingness to read to the children emphasizes his belief that reading is an important factor in the success of all students," said Sandra Yee, dean of the Library System. "The university is committed to developing our students from pre-K to well beyond graduation from college."

Wayne State University is a premier institution offering more than 350 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to more than 33,000 students in metropolitan Detroit.