The success in developing an Early Literacy program begins with the training of our staff.  Since it is unrealistic that all our children's staff have a background in early childhood education or childhood development, our consortium will provide early education training for those who will be involved in our early literacy programing.  According to a report by Neuman, Moland and Celano, "As more librarians get trained on the job [early literacy], many gradually feel more comfortable in their roles as educators and literacy experts" (2017, p. 24).  In addition, according to a study by Marks, training of staff could significantly, "enhance the staff's credibility with patrons on early literacy issues-helping parents to build relationships with librarians and helping librarians see themselves as teachers in the area" (2006, p. 11).

 

Staff Training Plan

• Develop a time frame for training of staff

• Develop training curriculum

  • Develop training for three different ages groups

    • Babies (Lap-sit)

    • Toddlers

    • Preschool

  • Training Workshops to take place over a three month period.

    • Library staff will begin to incorporate early literacy training in their storytimes each week.

    • Library staff will share their experiences at training classes.

• Volunteers will be trained by library staff

• Librarians will train parents/caregivers

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The workshops will be run using ECRR second edition tool kit purchased from the Every Child Ready to Read @ Your Library website. This took kit was developed by the Public Library Association (PLA) and the Association of Library Services for Children (ALSC), divisions of the American Library Association (Public Library Association, & Association of Library Services for Children, n.d).

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Objectives:

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• Library staff will demonstrate an understanding of the five early literacy practices

• Library staff will demonstrate an understanding of brain development and how children learn

• Library staff will be able to provide early literacy tips to parents/caregivers

• Library staff will be able to incorporate early literacy training in their storytime

• Library staff will demonstrate an understanding on how to create an environment that supports and encourages literacy skills

• Library staff will be able to provide training to volunteers, and parent/caregivers

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References:

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Public Library Association, & Association of Library Services for Children. (n.d.). Every child ready to read, Second ddition kit. Retrieved from https://www.alastore.ala.org/content/every-child-ready-read-second-edition-kit

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Marks, R. B. (2016, October). Early literacy programs and practices at colorado public libraries. Retrieved from https://www.lrs.org/closer-look-studies/early-literacy-programs-and-practices-at-colorado-public-libraries/

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Neuman, S. B., Moland, N., & Celano, D. (2017). Every child ready to read @ your library (Rep.). Retrieved from http://everychildreadytoread.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/2017-ECRR-Report-Final.pdf

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