Kami M. Talley Reading and Resource Center

The Kami M. Talley Reading and
Resource Center uses the sunflower
as a symbol of comfort, hope, and healing.

What is the reading and resource center?

• A tranquil and private space in the University Child Care Center which contains a focused and distinct collection of materials tailored expressly to the needs and positive development of young children (ages 0–8 years) experiencing difficult or traumatic life events
• A place where the values and special needs of young growing children and their caregivers (parents, teachers, family members, etc.) are supported and can be shared with the University and surrounding communities

What does the collection contain?

• A thematic collection of books, tapes, videos, and other resources appropriate for use by, and assistance to, the young child, caregivers, educators, and parents including materials on: crises (moving, illness, death and dying, divorce, domestic violence, abuse etc.), diversity, adoption, family diversity, grief recovery, conflict resolution, self-esteem, new baby, special needs, inspiration and hope, and more
• A duplicate supply of most resources is collected and stored for continual availability as needed

	Who can access these resources? The collection is open to all University Child Care Center children, parents, and staff, as well as to faculty, staff, and students of the University of Minnesota community.
	In addition, educators, parents, caregivers, and program staff serving special populations in the broader community are also welcome to visit and use the materials by calling ahead for an appointment. Resources may also be mailed or delivered depending on available funds for staffing.

How can I help?

The Kami M. Talley Reading and Resource Center (KMTRRC) relies on donations to develop and maintain the collection. Cash donations will enable the purchase of high-quality, specialized books for and about the young child and allow for them to be mailed or delivered to meet needs outside the University Child Care Center. Book donations also are appreciated; check our Web site to see our wish list.

You can donate online through the University of Minnesota Foundation. The account number for the KMTRRC is 4200.

Or mail your donations to:

The Kami M. Talley Reading and Resource Center Fund #4200
c/o University of Minnesota Foundationn
500 McNamara Center
200 Oak Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Call 612-627-4014 for further information.

Why this reading and resource center?

Kami Marie Talley was a devoted parent and exceptional University of Minnesota student who believed that books and education are crucial to building a better world for young children. Her tragic and untimely death on February 14, 1996, as a result of domestic violence, not only cut short her opportunity to further her goals, but any opportunity to broaden and strengthen her own young daughter’s life through reading.

Kami and her daughter were a part of the University of Minnesota Child Care Center (UMCCC) for over three years. Her violent death shocked and pained everyone associated with the center, not only because she was young, kind, and intelligent, but also because the center had introduced an anti-violence curriculum and peace week celebration shortly before Kami was killed. At first people were traumatized. As they searched for answers from one another, it became clear that the center did not possess the information and resources that parents and teachers needed in order to help young children process what had happened and to comfort them with words of wisdom and hope..

The Kami M. Talley Reading and Resource Center was thus established at the University Child Care Center to provide a memorial to Kami’s commitment to education through books. It serves as a unique and important resource for educators and caregivers of young children now and for years to come.

Kami Talley Resource Room bibliographies

The University of Minnesota Child Care Center (UMCCC) hosts events in May of each year in memorial to Kami M. Talley, a young honor student and parent at the Child Care Center who died as a result of domestic violence on February 14, 1996. One of these events is an early literacy program in her honor.

Upcoming events

The University of Minnesota Child Care Center hosts an annual event around the second week of May as a memorial to Kami M. Talley, an exceptional young student parent, as well as to promote early literacy. Celebrity readers are invited into the center from around the University community to read to toddler and preschool children in the classrooms. A memorial open house is held as a fundraising event and to remember Kami's life. To be included on the mailing list for this event, please contact Mary Leinfelder at 612-627-4014 or email: leinf001@umn.edu.

Revised April 2006