examples of successful programs
California Library Literacy Services (CLLS)
www.libraryliteracy.org
A program of the California State Library, CLLS sponsors programs such as Adult Literacy Services, Families for Literacy, English Language Literacy Institute, Mobile Library Literacy Services. The site additionally contains a directory connecting users with libraries which are participants in California Library Services by county.
Objectives:
- Provide children 0-5 and their parents/caregivers with a variety of preschool experiences and activities that support the successful development of school readiness.
- Provide parents/caregivers free and convenient access to the materials and resources necessary to adequately support the school readiness of their children.
- Provide parents/caregivers with the literacy skills necessary to adequately develop and support the school readiness of their children. Train parents/caregivers in what, how and why to read aloud to the children in their lives so that they come to love books and reading before age 5.
- Provide parents/caregivers with information about, and access to, other services needed by them and their children 0-5. Provide parents/caregivers with training and information in the areas of parenting, health, nutrition, safety, smoking, addiction, and other aspects that impact their children.
- Overcome the barriers of language, isolation, and lack of transportation for families and care providers most in need. Support parents/caregivers in their efforts to provide a safe, nurturing and healthy environment for their 0-5 children.
Families for Literacy
http://www.literacynet.org/clc/caffl/index.html
"In 1988 the California State Legislature created the Families for Literacy (FFL) Program, a state-wide family literacy initiative for public libraries already providing adult literacy services, to extend those services to include the families of adult learners with preschool children. The following links are designed to assist FFL programs in their work to introduce adult learners and their families to the value and joy of reading, helping assure that each child will enter school ready to read."
Literacy Connections
http://www.literacyconnections.com
This web site provides resources for those who do or want to begin organizing literacy programs and tutors/teachers.
- Tips for tutors (multi-dimensional lesson plans, ways to connect with their students, etc)
- Classroom Letter and Language Activities from Dr. Jean Feldman
- The Great Phonics Debate
- Using music to promote reading skills
- Working and Playing with Words
- Low cost resources for literacy programs
Make Way for Books
http://www.makewayforbooks.org
Places libraries at preschool and childcare centers. Targets preschools in limited resource areas which feed into elementary schools where students score significantly below average on standardized reading tests. Program aims at children from birth to five years old. The core service that Make Way for Books offers is the preschool library program. They place collections of hardcover multicultural books in childcare centers and preschools with limited resources. Their Preschool Program is designed to meet the early literacy needs of children in child care and to enhance the skills of their caregivers.
Oklahoma Literacy Resource Office
http://www.odl.state.ok.us/literacy/index.htm
This site is dedicated to Oklahoma’s outstanding local literacy programs, dedicated literacy volunteers, and exceptional adult learners. The Oklahoma Literacy Resource Office (LRO) is a subset of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries.
The LRO provides resources, leadership, and technical assistance to library and community-based literacy programs throughout the state. Additionally, LRO continues to coordinate several statewide initiatives as well as national pilot projects.
A Page Ahead Children’s Literacy Program
http://www.pageahead.org/index.php
Mission Statement:
Guided by the fact that literacy is essential to lifelong success, Page Ahead provides new books and develops reading activities that empower at-risk children.
Page Ahead “helps children realize their potential by providing them with the inspiration to read.” Since 1990 Page Ahead has placed over 1.25 million new books into the hands of 450,000 at-risk children through collaborations with schools, libraries, social service agencies, preschools, and early childhood centers across Washington State.
Project READ- Redwood City Public Library
http://www.projectread-redwoodcty.org/index.html
Project Read- Redwood City Project READ is a four-time award-winning organization committed to providing literacy training throughout our diverse community. The program is integrated with Redwood City's Public Library and closely aligned with all schools within Redwood City.
Established in 1987, Project READ is a free, volunteer-based literacy program serving adults, children and families. Tutoring lessons are student-centered, focusing on reading, writing and critical thinking skills and are supported by the generous help of our volunteers. Tutors receive 15 hours of training prior to being matched with a student.