Wednesday, February 27, 2008 7:56 PM CST
Mattoon library programs to focus on early literacy
By LAURA HUDDLESTON, Children's librarian
This winter has been an interesting time for us here at the library. We are currently without a director and are undergoing a search for just the right person to lead us through a continuing period of growth.
The staff is working harder than ever to provide excellent service to our patrons despite being short-staffed. Until we have a new director, I will be writing the newspaper column; and since I am the children’s librarian, I wanted to let everyone know about some exciting things coming up for kids, parents and caregivers at the library.
A few months ago, I wrote an LSTA grant that provides funds for early literacy materials and programs here at the library. Thanks to this funding, we were able to get lots of new toddler board books and are getting ready to unveil 10 new early literacy kits.
These kits will each have books, puppets, audios, DVDs, flannel board pieces and parent reference materials all centered around a theme. They will check out in a canvas bag as one item for the regular three-week check-out period. Parents and in-home caregivers are encouraged to check these out and use the materials with their toddlers and preschoolers. They will be available in a few weeks at the second-floor desk.
In addition to added materials in the children’s department, we will be hosting a variety of programs and workshops this spring that highlight early literacy learning in our community. Headlining our spring programs this year will be two special performances by Mother Goose herself.
On March 13 at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., we will host her interactive and energetic portrayal of the best-loved nursery rhymes and songs. This fabulous, family-friendly show for young and old will be free to the public, but registration is required. Snacks will be served at the end of each show.
Preschools may register classes for the morning event, and families may register for morning or evening. Call now to register for either show: 234-2621.
We know that the earliest years of a child’s life are a critical time for laying a foundation for literacy learning. Learning to read doesn’t start in kindergarten or even preschool … it starts at birth!
Helping parents and caregivers learn to maximize this time from birth to age 5 is the first step in improving early literacy skills in our community.
With this in mind, we will be hosting three early literacy workshops for parents and caregivers/teachers in late March and early April. These free workshops will be held March 27, April 3 and April 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the lower basement of the library.
Each session will last approximately one to one and a half hours. Melissa Coleman from the School of Family and Consumer Sciences at Eastern Illinois University will be conducting the first two workshops, and Kimberly Ashbrook from the University of Illinois will be introducing us to the “Project Approach to Early Literacy” at the April 10 session.
In addition, we will be providing information about how the MPL can aid community members in their early literacy efforts. Each participant will take home free books and a packet of info. and activities. Professional development credits will be available and snacks will be provided.
Call me at the library for registration details: 234-2621. (Please note: These workshops are for adults only. No child care will be provided. Children left in the children’s area of the library must be accompanied by an adult. )
We hope that these early literacy opportunities for children and parents will be just one more way that the library is involved in helping to grow young readers in Mattoon.
Please also consider joining us for our regular storytimes at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays and 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Toddler Lapsit Storytimes, for ages 12 to 36 months with a parent or caregiver, are also offered on the second and fourth Fridays of the month at 10 a.m.
Please call me at the library with any questions about our programs, and I look forward to seeing you and your little people here on the children’s floor!
Laura Huddleston is a children’s librarian at the Mattoon Public Library.
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My Point of View wrote on Feb 28, 2008 12:00 PM: