Idaho Commission for Libraries

Libraries participating in First Book, Every Child Ready to Read, and mini-grants sites have been invited to participate in the 2-day Read to Me meeting, Showcasing Success. The meeting will be held in Boise at the Oxford Suites on March 5-6, 2009. Libraries need to register by February 5th.

This program encourages public libraries to partner with up to 3 elementary schools, in order to garner support for summer reading from school administrators, teachers and parents.

Partner with one or more agencies or organizations in your community. Together with your partner organization, plan at least two programs to be held outside the library in June, July and/or August that target underserved children*. You will receive paperback books suitable for your program audience to be given away to children attending the off-site programs.

Get elementary-age children excited about signing up for summer reading! You will receive "Make a Splash" nylon flying disks, with a storage pouch, for each student when a library staff member or volunteer visits one or more schools to promote your Summer Reading program. Classroom visits, assemblies and field trips to the public library count, too!

The Bookworm is a monthly publication of the Read to Me First Book program. This early literacy newsletter is sent home to the parents of children receiving First Books each month, and contains age-appropriate literacy information and activities. It can also be distributed by school and public librarians to parents at storytimes and library events.

For Libraries/Schools

Publications/Materials

The "It's All Good" blog sent out information about a new WebJunction report. The report - Latinos and Public Library Perceptions - is on the WebJunction site and is part of the Spanish Language Outreach effort which WebJunction coordinates and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation funded.

The Idaho Child Care Reads program helps public libraries enhance services for child care providers and the children and families that they work with. Applications from public libraries interested in the program are accepted throughout the year and will be granted as funding allows.
 
The program has the following goals:

Read to Me First Book provides children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books. The program provides a book a month for nine months for each participating child, and First Book families can participate in a free early literacy workshop.

Jump Start incorporates the six early literacy skills and encourages parents of children registering for kindergarten to “Get a Jump Start on Reading @ Your Library.” As part of the program, Idaho public libraries:

• Collaborate with their local school(s) to participate in kindergarten registration.