Children's Literacy Resources for Libraries

Free Information:
The Colorado State Library has two FREE pamphlets you can get by calling or emailing us. Order in bulk to distribute to local childcares, parents, home care providers.

• Reading Tips for Parents: Easy-to-do activities for parents of children birth through about seven (English and Spanish).
• Kindergarten Readiness Brochure: Brief tips for parents and caregivers, for children about four to five (English and Spanish).

Early Literacy Resources:

• Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy (CLEL): In January 2008, a new advisory group, Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy, began coordinating training and outreach on behalf of the state's libraries.  Read an overview of Colorado's initiative. Get involved as little or as much as you can. 
  • CLEL Web site.
• Guiding Social Change through Colorado's Libraries: The Early Literacy Initiative. View the summary report of Colorado State Library activities for its Early Literacy Initiative.
• National Every Child Ready to Read, presented by the Public Library Association and the Association for Library Services to Children: the complete curriculum for three age-related workshops, support materials, scripts, videos. Implement at your convenience.
• Story time applications: the “how-to” from PLA and ALSC.

Children’s Literacy Training and Workshops:
Get training for you and other library staff. Learn how to apply the concepts to story hours and other activities. Make connection with a network of libraries who are already involved. A number of libraries provide training and workshops for adults in early literacy (to reach children birth to eight years). Contact the liaison below for more information.

Older Children:

• School-aged children:
  • International Reading Association: Professional organization with parent-teacher resources, as well as other services such as information for English language learners.
  • National Education Association: A section especially for parents, including parental involvement in schools, and research links.
  • National PTA: Parent resources section. Includes safety and health as well as academic achievement. Also has sections in Spanish.
  • Reading Is FUNdamental: A section of the site specifically directed toward school age children.
  • Read*Write*Think: Access for educators and students to the highest quality practices and resources in reading and language arts instruction through free, Internet-based content.
• Summer Reading Programs: the Colorado State Library’s annual initiative
• Young adults/teens:
  • Teen Read Week
  • Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) resources
  • Colorado Young Adult Advocates in Libraries (C'YAAL): summer reading program, bibliographies, services
  • Encourage teens to read
  • Reluctant readers (DOC): Patrick Jones' presentation

Try more free resources:
Try some of these resources. As long as you aren't going to sell copies, feel free to download and copy. Just, please, give the Colorado State Library credit. http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdelib/Free_CSL_Resources.htm

Reports on the effectiveness of library literacy projects:

• “Early Literacy Programs and Practices at Colorado Public Libraries,” by Robbie Bravman Marks, October 2006 (A “Closer Look” report). In efforts to help young children aged birth through six prepare to read, Colorado’s libraries are stepping to the fore with new or enhanced early literacy programs and services.
• “Training Jumpstarts Early Literacy Services,” Fast Facts No. 239 - June 08, 2006. Indicates projected changes in library staff and services, based on ECRR training.
• “Early Literacy Initiative Impacts Public Library Services for Young Children,” Fast Facts No. 237 - April 20, 2006. A report on actual changes in library staff and services.

Stay connected with others:
Register for the Colorado Youth Services listserv (CYS-Lib), hosted by the Colorado State Library, for all library staff working with children or young adults in public, school, and other libraries. CYS-Lib is easy to use. 
 

For additional information, contact Sharon Morris, 303-866-6730.