WHITSUNDAY Regional Council is partnering with the State Library of Queensland and the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre to host a free information session for parents of children under five to raise awareness of the First 5 Forever family literacy program.

Acting chief executive officer Barry Omundson said the program aims to educate parents and primary caregivers about the importance of reading to their children in early childhood.

"Recent statistics show that a large portion of parents and caregivers do not regularly read to their children and we'd like to help change that through the First 5 Forever program," Mr Omundson said.

"The program aims to help create stronger language and literacy environments for families with young children and our libraries are well placed to provide additional resources and targeted

programs and services," he said.

"Our regional libraries already provide a range of exciting free services to the community including the popular Story Time sessions, so I encourage young families in the region to get involved and come along to the free information session."

The First 5 Forever information session will be held on Monday, March 14 at the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre. Story Time will start at 9am and will be followed by an information session for parents and caregivers.

Morning tea will be provided and attendees will receive a free take home tool kit.

For more information about the First 5 Forever literacy program, or to book your place at the information session, please contact the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre on 4946 7850.