You may already know this if you have a new baby: It pays to read to them early and often. At least, that is the belief that underlies a new system for giving free books to every newborn in Maine and additional books periodically until age 5. The theory is that early exposure to books will ease the way to lifetime literacy.

Here’s the way it works: When a baby is born, the parents get a tote bag containing two books. They are urged to start reading to their babies in the first weeks of life. The idea is that babies’ brain cells will be learning something even before their eyes start to focus. Later, they may point to pictures and help turn the pages. The saying is that “lap time” is just as important as the reading, since both proceed together in bonding parent and child. And early reading can make a dent in the fact that, in Maine and across the nation, one adult in five is functionally illiterate.

Recent research indicates that a baby is born with an enormous set of “neural circuits” – brain centers that spring into action in response to sights, sounds, smells and touches. The ones that aren’t used fade away, letting the remaining circuits work more effectively. Neuroscientists call this process “synaptic pruning.” It can streamline learning development, but it means losing circuits that aren’t used. That’s the scientific basis for Maine’s “raising readers” program.

Owen Wells, president and chief executive officer of the Libra Foundation, founded by the late Maine philanthropist Betty Noyce, heard about these findings at a Harvard workshop on children. By chance, one of his associates at Libra had been given some books for a new baby. An idea was born: Why not go statewide, giving books to every child in the state.

With the help and encouragement of Barbara Bush, a devoted literacy activist, Libra arranged for the book distribution through the Maine Medical Center and Eastern Maine Medical Center, extending it later to every maternity hospital in the state. Now the program is spreading to individual obstetricians and pediatricians, midwives, well-baby clinics and adoption agencies. The foundation finances the program at about $1.2 million a year as one of its long-term commitments.

Like some other Maine initiatives, this one is spreading to other states. Wyoming heard about it when the wife of its governor spoke with Maine’s first lady, Mary Herman, at a governors’ conference. Now Wyoming has launched its own “raising readers” program. It has adopted Maine’s logo, a baby sitting on a pile of books, adding a cowboy hat for the baby.

So if you didn’t get a copy of “Good Night, Moon” or one of the other books for your new baby, check with the hospital or your doctor. It’s there waiting for you.