“Going to this conference challenged me to broaden my reasons for planning great storytimes. It challenged me to think beyond the performance and to really think about how I can do a better job not only within my role in youth services at the library but how I can become a better community member in my own town … As a youth services librarian I want nothing more than to improve the trajectory of the youth who walk through those doors but it’s easy to lose sight of that and this conference really hit the mark and brought the focus back where it should be: on accepting children as they are and building them up.”

Emmett Librarian

Approximately 30 Idaho public and school librarians attended the 2024 Idaho Early Years, “Leading Through Change” conference at the Riverside Hotel in Boise November 14 – 15. Library staff learned about best practices in early childhood care and education, networked with community partners, compiled resources, and talked with individual attendees about how libraries support young children and families.

The Idaho Early Years conference is held every other year in Boise and is sponsored by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, with support from many community partners and government agencies, including the Idaho Commission for Libraries (ICfL). Library staff attendance was supported with ICfL continuing education funding, which is made possible by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through Library Science and Technology Act grant funds.

ICfL collaborated with the Department of Health and Welfare to host Dr. Maya Payne Smart, whose keynote “Beyond Storytime” focused on how parents and caregivers can help children become more successful readers.

Dr. Maya Payne Smart speaking in front of the Early Years Conference banner

Dr. Maya Payne Smart, Nov. 15, 2024

“What struck me was that she came into the early literacy world not as a practitioner, but as a parent. It provided a unique perspective into early literacy, potential obstacles, and the learning journey parents take with their children. I came away thinking of ways to model for parents and provide better  resources and guidance in regards to early literacy.” (Pocatello Librarian)

Dr. Smart also facilitated a breakout session about how to build positive relationships with parents, and each session attendee received a copy of her book, “Reading for Our Lives: A Literacy Action Plan from Birth to Six” (copyright 2022, Penguin Random House).

People who attended Dr. Smart's breakout session, holding up copies of her book

Breakout session attendees holding copies of Dr. Smart’s book, Nov. 15, 2024.

“Her book is a great resource that I will share with parents at the library … I also plan to use some of her web resources – in particular one about letter parts – at our family literacy night in the spring … She had some good suggestions for talking with parents and nurturing family engagement. I plan to be better at asking open-ended questions of parents that I work with to determine what their needs and goals are for their children.” (Boise Librarian)

A conference such as Early Years is designed to reach a wide variety of audiences, and Idaho library staff learn about so many aspects of early learning that are outside of typical library-related topics that can help them better serve their communities.

“I enjoyed how multiple speakers talked about the way we see people. My favorite quote was from Dr. Kristie Pretti-Frontczak, ‘We must trust that all people come to us as incredible whole people who do not need to be fixed.’ Our community is full of ‘whole people’ that deserve a place that is welcoming and meets their needs. Whether that is the library or the grocery store or the park, I can better serve my community by seeing the whole person instead of someone to fix.” (Kuna Librarian)

By supporting library attendance at this conference ICfL demonstrates the importance of the role Idaho libraries play in early education by strengthening existing partnerships or creating new partnerships in their communities. Idaho library staff established connections with the Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children (Idaho AEYC), Head Start, Delta Dental, Idaho Relatives as Parents, preschool teachers, Idaho Public Television, social services and public health agencies, AIM Early Idaho, Act Early Idaho, and so many more, including other library staff.

“The networking time during Early Years is invaluable. The other librarians and I shared programs, bounced new ideas off of each other, and connected one another to people who could help. I also made a connection with Idaho AEYC to bring some programming to my library.” (Twin Falls Librarian)

Staci Shaw and Jennifer Redford at Read to Me table.

Read to Me Table

The ICfL staffed a table featuring Read to Me resources and materials, and talked with attendees about ways to partner with their local libraries.

Thank you notes slipped into colorful library pockets and fastened to ballroom wall in a group.

Notes of Gratitude to Libraries

ICfL staff also collected notes of gratitude from attendees to their libraries and/or specific librarians. Lots of love for our libraries!

Jana Hill reads a picture book.

Jana Hill reads a story

Staci Shaw (ICfL) and Jana Hill (Ada Community Library, Connect Branch) presented a well-attended workshop titled "Talk to Me Baby," which focused on developing early literacy skills in infants and toddlers.

Mother holding baby, who is trying to put a book in her mouth.

Read to Me Baby

One of the youngest attendees at Staci and Jana's workshop received her very own book, which she promptly sampled.

Staci Shaw reading from notes on the Early Years panel

Staci Shaw, Panel Discussion

Staci Shaw was asked to present on the "State of Early Learning" panel. She shared some stats from 2023, celebrated the work libraries are doing to support early learning and kindergarten readiness, and gave an update on the Children's School and Public Library Protection Act.

A group of people standing on a stage laughing

Capnote Activity

Several Idaho librarians volunteered for an activity during Megan McCaleb's capnote, "Yes and Yes." Librarians are not shy about getting up in front of a room full of people!

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The ICfL has supported this conference for 20 years or more, and we hope to continue supporting it in the future. Learning about early education pedagogy, child development, mental health, and issues/challenges in the field of early education improve a librarian’s ability to design high-quality programs and services and better meet the needs of children and families.

Upon reflection many library attendees agreed that for the next conference, it would be valuable for there to be more library representation as experts in the field of literacy and early learning, and to showcase all the amazing things libraries are doing for young children and families. We would love to see more session proposals from Idaho library staff in 2026!

“I’ve been very grateful for each year I have been able to attend. I always learn new things, meet other dedicated professionals, and leave feeling encouraged and energized to keep up the good fight!”

Ada County Librarian