The free Saturday morning reading program for preschoolers begins Feb. 17 from 9 a.m. to noon and will continue each subsequent Saturday until April 28 at the Starbucks in the Vons' Shopping Center on the corner of Devonshire Street and Reseda Boulevard.

CSUN English and elementary education students, who plan on becoming teachers, will read to the children, lead them in song and conduct crafts and games based around a different theme each week.

The students hope to promote critical pre-reading and pre-school experiences with language and literature among the children, said Maureen Rubin, director of CSUN's Center for Community-Service Learning which is helping to coordinate the Starbucks Saturday Storytimes program.

Starbucks Saturday Storytimes are made possible by a $10,000 grant from the Starbucks Foundation to the Center for Community-Service Learning.

In addition to the Saturday reading program, money from the grant was used to establish a new partnership between the university and Reseda High School in which CSUN freshmen composition students act as tutors and mentors to ninth graders who are having difficulty with literacy and language arts. These same Reseda High students have been invited to act as "teachers aides" during the Starbucks story hours.

"Four different groups will benefit from this new literacy project," Rubin said. "CSUN freshmen will sharpen their writing skills, because they must learn the material in order to teach it. Reseda High students will get individual attention in reading and writing from college students, who can become positive role models and friends. Future teachers will get practice creating and delivering innovative reading programs. And the children in our neighborhood can have a great time while they listen and learn."

For more information on Starbucks Saturday Storytimes, call the Center for Community-Service Learning at (818) 677-7395.

Launched in 1998, CSUN's Center for Community-Service Learning aims to inspire, encourage and support students and faculty in their pursuit of academic excellence through involvement in meaningful community service.

California State University, Northridge has more than 27,000 full-time and part-time students and offers 48 bachelors' and 39 masters' degrees. Founded in 1958, it is the only four-year university in the San Fernando Valley.