Index
- Libraries help develop children’s reading skills
- Reading videos available to SCLS member libraries
- Four SCLS libraries named Library Journal Star Libraries
- Registration open for Wild Wisconsin Winter Web Conference
- Grant Writing Workshops at UW-Madison SLIS
- New financial education webinar for libraries
- OverDrive hot holiday ideas
- Continuing Education Calendar
Libraries help develop children’s reading skills
Note: This is the fifth of eight library-related editorials written by the South Central Library System (SCLS) for use by its member libraries. Microsoft Word versions of these editorials are available at www.scls.info/pr/editorials/.
Reading is one of the most important skills children acquire, and it dictates to a large degree their success in other subject areas. That is why so much emphasis is placed on the development of reading skills. National and state-wide programs, such as Wisconsin’s Read to Lead program, recognize that readers are future leaders.
Children begin to acquire those skills -- generally referred to as “literacy skills” -- while listening to the books their parents, siblings, grandparents, and other caregivers read. At this point it’s not about letter recognition but gaining an appreciation and value for reading, and learning to understand the spoken word.
All of these experiences factor into the acquisition of literacy skills, and later on the ability to recognize letters and words, and understand their meaning. Understanding that meaning is the ultimate goal of literacy, for without understanding we cannot hope to communicate our thoughts and ideas.
Of all the people and institutions that play a central role in the development of literacy skills in children, the public library is one of the most important. Not only does the library make books available in an abundant and cost-effective manner, it offers storytime programs that help instill in children a love of reading that is necessary to be a truly good reader. Storytime programs are very social events that bring children into contact with each other, and regularly reinforce the importance of reading.
The library also provides a support network for parents through interaction with trained librarians. By attending storytime programs for babies and toddlers, parents can learn to model different techniques and strategies to make reading a fun and valuable learning experience for their children.
As children grow older, the library’s storytime programs change to incorporate other literacy building activities that emphasize language. Whether the programs involve puppet shows, hired performers, or other fun activities, development of literacy skills is always at the forefront of consideration.
Young children are very good at watching their parents’ behavior to help determine what is important, so modeling positive reading behaviors is critical. The public library can give parents some of the tools they need.
Research about the educational importance of good reading skills is plentiful, and pretty obvious. However, that same research also paints a pretty grim picture for those children who are not given the tools and resources they need to become good readers. Once children fall behind, it is very difficult for them to catch up, which in turn negatively impacts their ability to learn other subject areas like mathematics, science, and social studies.
Librarians understand the need to develop strong literacy skills, and the importance of making reading fun and social. Reading is a lifetime skill that we all need, and the public library has made -- and continues to make -- a significant investment in support of families and children.
If you haven’t been to the library in a while, check us out! You’ll be pleasantly surprised, and pleased that you reconnected.
Reading videos available to SCLS member libraries
The South Central Library System (SCLS) Marketing Work Group recently finished work on a series of short video clips that libraries can use to celebrate reading and to recognize the important role libraries play in supporting literacy.
The clips are perfect for use on library websites and Facebook pages. They are housed on the SCLS YouTube Channel, but cannot be viewed there. A longer video that includes all the clips is available for viewing.
Below is a list of links to the 10 clips.
- Celebrate Reading Clip 1 -- http://youtu.be/Sy3HrapP42M
- Celebrate Reading Clip 2 -- http://youtu.be/aSlJUun1JbE
- Celebrate Reading Clip 3 -- http://youtu.be/mBSINdT3z3E
- Celebrate Reading Clip 4 -- http://youtu.be/tCiMXfiMUuY
- Celebrate Reading Clip 5 -- http://youtu.be/dpjQ1FfrvLE
- Celebrate Reading Clip 6 -- http://youtu.be/tZL_6d7oOyg
- Celebrate Reading Clip 7 -- http://youtu.be/b9h1I-DkOEg
- Celebrate Reading Clip 8 -- http://youtu.be/5J0FUFFLd4A
- Celebrate Reading Clip 9 -- http://youtu.be/ZjOfKJDR5_o
- Celebrate Reading Clip 10 -- http://youtu.be/0oHF9-j-TIk
Four SCLS libraries named Library Journal Star Libraries
Each year Library Journal names its Star Libraries, and in 2013 four of Wisconsin’s seven Star Libraries are members of the South Central Library System.
Library Journal Index scores and star ratings are based on data reported annually by public libraries to their state library agencies and compiled nationally by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Within each expenditure peer group Library Journal identifies the top 30 scores. They give the top 10 scores a 5-star rating, the next 10 scores a 4-star rating, and the remaining 10 scores a 3-star rating.
The four SCLS Star Libraries are:
- Kilbourn Public Library, Wisconsin Dells, 3 stars,
- Lettie W. Jensen Public Library, Amherst, 4 stars
- Madison Public Library, 4 stars, and
- North Freedom Public Library, 3 stars.
Registration open for Wild Wisconsin Winter Web Conference
Registration is now open for the Wild Wisconsin Winter Web Conference 2014, to be held Jan. 15 & 16.
The Wild Wisconsin Winter Web Conference is a state-wide virtual conference developed by the Nicolet Federated Library System and co-sponsored by 12 other library systems in Wisconsin (including the South Central Library System). Five web presentations focusing on public libraries will be given each day from speakers all over the country, and even one in Belgium. Attend what you want -- one...four...or all 10!
All sessions are free and will be recorded, and there will be live tweeting at #wwwc14.
More information and registration links are available on the conference Facebook page.
Grant Writing Workshops at UW-Madison SLIS
In January, the UW-Madison School of Library and Information Studies (SLIS) is hosting the first of three grant writing workshops that might be of interest to libraries. Tom Linfield will lead a three-hour grant writing workshop specifically directed at library staff. If you are not familiar, Tom is the vice president of Grantmaking and Community Initiatives for the Madison Community Foundation.
The first workshop of the series was offered as a stand-alone in February 2013. If staff from your library attended it already, they do not need to attend it again in order to take the February and March supplementary workshops. Although they're welcome to take the first one again as a refresher, Linfield does not think it's necessary.
Full details and registration are available on the SLIS website.
New financial education webinar for libraries
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Division of Consumer Education and Engagement is offering a webinar from 2 to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, to discuss how the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is working to raise the profile of libraries in every community
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) are partnering to develop financial education tools and share best practices with the public library field. The goal of the partnership is to provide tools and materials to help libraries provide free, unbiased financial information and referrals in their communities, build local partnerships and promote libraries as community resources
The webinar will feature representatives from the CFPB, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), American Library Association, and two local public library partners. The CFPB just completed its information gathering stage, interviewing librarians, library associations, national partners, and library customers. Through the webinar they hope to share results with public librarians, discuss strategies, and start a nationwide conversation about how all participants can help to better inform and serve American consumers.
Information on the project and instructions for connecting to the Webinar and listening via phone are available at http://blog.imls.gov/?p=4373#sthash.0PZCRKne.dpuf.
--from Channel Weekly (Vol. 16, No. 11 – Nov. 21, 2013
Library customers will soon be flocking to libraries with new eReaders, tablets, and other portable devices, and a Dec. 4 & 5 program from OverDrive will help you get the jump on the rush.
Through this special session you’ll learn about the latest devices and how your customers can use them to enjoy the OverDrive collection available through Wisconsin’s Digital Library.
The webinar will be held on Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. and again on Dec. 5 at 3 p.m., and you can register now for either session. If you can’t attend either of these session, visit the OverDrive Learning Center beginning Dec. 13 for a recorded session. If you have questions, contact [email protected].