The ILA Early Learning Action Group and ICfL are co-sponsoring an Early Learning (EL) pre-conference session on October 5, prior to the annual ILA conference, from 9am to 12pm PDT at the Lewiston Public Library. We will have this event set up as a hybrid in-person/ live stream virtual event, if being in Lewiston is not an option for you this year.

The theme for the EL pre-conference event is EL Best Practices in Idaho Libraries, with a keynote presentation by Darcy Kincade, Associate Professor of Early Childhood Development at Lewis-Clark State College. Her keynote will be on child brain development and play.

Following Darcy’s presentation, there will be up to six 15-minute presentation slots for youth library staff to share about what they are doing at their libraries across the state to provide programs, resources, and services that constitute early learning best practices in Idaho public libraries.

We invite you, as early learning professionals in libraries across the state, to submit a proposal to present in one of these 15 minute presentation slots! 

Some topics that are considered early learning best practices in libraries, include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Open-ended play programs (intentional play is how children learn and achieves school readiness)
  • Early learning spaces (toys & manipulatives, environment)
  • Programs for caregivers of young children
  • Baby programs (lap programs with open-ended play)
  • Kindergarten readiness
  • Sensory programs & services
  • Early learning community partnerships, collaboratives, and/ or committees
  • Incorporating math & science (in addition to literacy) into library programs
  • Early learning in the library’s strategic plan (making early learning a core library service)
  • Early learning professional development & training for library staff, especially new hires
  • Other topics related to early learning in public libraries that you want to share with your colleagues

To submit your proposal, please fill out the EL Best Practices Call for Proposals form. 

Your proposal will be evaluated by a core group of early learning leaders from across the state and we’ll follow up with you if you are selected to present.

We hope you’ll be able to travel to Lewiston for the pre-conference and ILA in general! If you are looking for funding to attend, consider completing the ICFL First Time Conference Grant Application. The deadline to apply for this would be September 5, to attend the pre-conference on October 5, but please be aware that you do need to meet with Annie Gaines from ICfL ahead of September 5 to discuss your application.

If attending in person isn’t a possibility for you this year, know that we are going to set this up as a hybrid in-person/ virtual event, so please consider submitting a proposal to present even if you need to attend the event virtually.

Please reach out to Anna Langrill, Mary Flamino and/or Staci Shaw if you have any questions.