The first
week in May, I was lucky enough to spend two days in beautiful, rainy Lake
Geneva at the annual WAPL (Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries)
Conference. I met new colleagues (can't wait to collaborate and borrow your
great ideas), caught up with colleagues I haven't seen in a while, and attended
sessions that provided food for thought and inspired me to try new things back
in my own shop.
One of
those sessions was led by Tessa Michaelson Schmidt, Youth and Special Services
Consultant for the Public Library Development Team at the Wisconsin Department
of Public Instruction (DPI). Tessa unveiled a new, statewide early literacy
initiative called Growing Wisconsin Readers that is "all about public libraries
supporting language- and literacy-rich experiences for young children."
The goal of this exciting new project is to inform care givers, service
providers, and community stakeholders that Wisconsin public libraries are their
resource for growing readers.
To that
end, DPI will be providing a host of materials to help us spread the word in
our communities. There's an eye-catching brochure and poster offering accessible
information on ways that parents and other care givers can equip young children
with the literacy skills that prepare them for school success. A QR code on the
brochure leads to more information on an interactive website. Also on the
website, librarians will find a toolkit that includes customized PDFs of the
brochure and poster.
Librarians
will be able to participate online as well as in-person multi-system workshops.
Smaller libraries will have access to mini-grants of $250 to create early
learning spaces, and there will be 2014 LSTA funds earmarked for early literacy
grants.
All of
this adds up to some pretty exciting opportunities for public libraries to
plant the seeds of change, promoting early literacy and Growing Wisconsin
Readers. I can't wait to get started in this garden!
Sharon Grover
Head of Youth Services
Hedberg Public Library
2 comments:
This sounds pretty cool - I have several early learning projects in mind for my children's space, just waiting for time and $$. How do we apply for the minigrants?
Jennifer, these will be set-up and administered through DPI. Tessa Michaelson Schmidt will be sending out info directly to librarians and through system liaisons.
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