Building a New Generation of Readers

A statewide early literacy project designed by the State Library, Building a New Generation of Readers provides public and school librarians with the training and materials to teach parents and childcare providers strategies for preparing children to enter school ready to learn to read and be successful in school. The goal is to have at least one person in every library site in Arizona trained in early literacy so that it is a natural part of the daily operations, story times, and workshops for parents and caregivers.

Tools include:

• Every Child Ready to Read® @ your library®, - Every Child Ready to Read® @ your library® (ECRR) is a parent education initiative. It stresses early literacy begins with the primary adults in a child's life. The ECRR toolkit empowers public libraries to assume an essential role in supporting early literacy within a community. ECRR toolkits are provided to every library after attending ECRR training.
• Ring of Rhymes - Rhymes are a wonderful way for parents and caregivers to help babies build the skills to prepare to learn to read and succeed. The Ring of Rhymes cards with rhymes in English and Spanish also provide parents tips on simple ways to add early literacy activities to their everyday routine. Libraries may request sets of Rings of Rhymes to provide to their library patrons from the Arizona State Library by contacting Donna Throckmorton.
• Leap into Science - Join a National Network for Science & Literacy.  Arizona has been selected as one of six states to participate in the first year of a national Leap into Science network initiative.  Arizona’s state leadership team organization includes: The Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records, Arizona Science Center and Yuma County Library District.  The four-year initiative is led by The Franklin Institute, the National Girls Collaborative Project, and the Institute for Learning Innovation, and will be evaluated by the Education Development Center, with support from the National Science Foundation. Developed by The Franklin Institute, Leap into Science is a nationwide program that integrates open-ended science activities with children’s books, designed for children ages 3-10 and their families. The program empowers educators to offer programs in community settings like libraries, museums, and out-of-school time programs to engage underserved audiences in accessible and familiar settings.  This evidence-based program will be made available to a limited number of informal educators in Arizona through in-person trainings. Funding for this project allows us to provide reduced cost resources through 2021.  Visit the Leap into Science website for more information about this program and contact Donna Throckmorton if you are interested in participating.

LSTA Competitive Grants - Funding is granted for libraries to take workshops out into their communities; to provide digital story times with iPads or other e-readers; to furnish early learning spaces; and other early literacy projects.

Trainings and resources for early literacy are supported with funding granted by the Arizona State Library under the Library Services and Technology Act, which is administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.