Why should my library host early literacy workshops?

Recognizing the critical role that parents and caregivers play in developing children's early literacy skills, and as a result of the "Every Child Ready to Read @ your library" research commissioned in 2000 by the Public Library Association (PLA) and the Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC), we've become more aware of the importance of reaching and teaching parents and caregivers.

Because of our intermittent contact with each child, we have limited direct impact. However, by reaching and teaching parents and caregivers about early literacy skills and how to incorporate them in their daily lives, we make a difference in the child’s development by supporting the parent/caregiver.

Why should libraries take on this role? “Societal circumstances and changes in academic expectations require that we reassess the library’s role in early childhood education. More families need information about what is expected for ‘school readiness.’ Information on early literacy is an important part of this information.” (Source: Early Literacy Storytimes @ Your Library: Partnering with Caregivers for Success, by Saroj Ghoting and Pamela Martin-Diaz)

In 2002-2003, PLA and ALSC conducted a study of the impact of using research-based early literacy practices in public library programs and workshops for parents and caregivers to determine the effect public libraries have on parent and caregiver education for early literacy. Fourteen public libraries participated in the 2002-2003 evaluation.

Results from the evaluation, conducted by Sara Laughlin & Associates, show that parents—of every age, educational background, income level, and ethnicity—who participated in the public library early literacy workshops significantly increased their literacy behaviors. Especially notable are their dramatic gains in use of the library, the weakest area among all three age groups. Teen parents and low-education and low-income parents, who exhibited fewest of the literacy behaviors at the intake, showed significant improvement across all behaviors.

Recommendations in the report include:

• Continue to target teen parents and those with low education and low income.
• Target parents of 0-23 month-olds. Use non-traditional tactics to reach young, low-education, low-income parents who are not visiting the library.
• Include booklists and opportunities to browse for books in every session.
• Reach out to parents whose first language is not English and incorporate multi-lingual strategies and materials into programs.
• Continue to align library systems—training, collection development, policies, programs, and partnerships— to focus on supporting early literacy development of children of those most in need of this information.
• Reconsider library fine and card policies.
• Actively seek opportunities to partner with other agencies in the community who serve young, low-income, and low-education parents.
• Provide library services for your childcare community.