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G2S Project Code: 2014-CT-73088
State: Connecticut
Fiscal Year: 2014

Grantee
BRISTOL PUBLIC LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Margaret Mennone
Director Phone: 860-584-7787 x2021
Director Email: margaretmennone@ci.bristol.ct.us

General Information
Title: Every Child Ready to Read - Bristol
State Project Code:
Start Date: 07/01/2014
End Date: 06/30/2015
Abstract: The Bristol Public Library offered Every Child Ready to Read workshops to families, home daycare providers, and educators to share ways they can promote pre-literacy skills with young children before they reach school. The library also purchased materials for a circulating "Literacy Collection" that pairs with the five practices of reading, writing, singing, talking and playing covered in the workshops.
State Goal: Literacies and learning

Budget Information

LSTA

MATCH-State

MATCH-Other

Total

$3,000.00

$0.00

$774.00

$3,774.00

Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Early Literacy

Activities
Activity Details
Title: Every Child Ready to Read workshops
Narrative: The library held a total of 10 Every Child Ready to Read (ECRR) workshops within the main library, at a branch library, and at community sites, with a total attendance of 112 people. Every participating family received a bag with a copy of the book The Little Red Hen to take home, a schedule of upcoming library activities, photocopied handouts from the ECRR manual, and other related items. The ECRR handouts gave tips and ideas for activities the parents can continue at home.

The library promoted the workshops in-house and at sites around town. The project director distributed flyers at the library's "Preschool Fair" in the spring and handed out flyers to teachers and community members to post at their schools and businesses. While the majority of program participants were regular library patrons, the workshops attracted a few families who were new to the library.

Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 11
Number of times program administered: 10

Partner Information

Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No

Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No

Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: General

Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: BRISTOL PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 5 HIGH ST.
City: BRISTOL
State: CT
Zip: 06011

Activity Details
Title: Items for the library collection
Narrative:

The library used grant funds to enlarge its collection of circulating literacy materials (board books, picture books, nonfiction books) and music CDs that promote the practices of ECRR. Since one component of ECRR is "playing," the project director used some of the funds to enhance the children’s department play area with a durable, sturdy kitchen play set and other manipulative toys.

Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Physical

Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 0
Number of software acquired: 0
Number of licensed databases acquired: 0
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 122
Number of electronic materials acquired: 0
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 30

Partner Information

Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important findings or outcomes from your project:
The first outcome is a change in behavior to participate in pre-literacy activities more frequently after attending the workshop. Prior to the workshop, 91.1% of participants said they already read with their kids daily. After the workshop, 100% of participants said they planned to read daily in the future. The second outcome is an increased knowledge of when/how to begin promoting early literacy. Before the workshop, 84% of participants thought reading, writing, singing, talking and playing promoted early literacy. By the end, everyone learned that all five practices contribute to pre-literacy.
Please briefly describe importance of findings:
As a result of the ECRR workshops in Bristol, participating parents and caregivers are likely to read more frequently to their children and are likely to include a variety of pre-literacy activities in their interactions with their children.
What methods did you use to determine your findings? Check all that apply:
Survey
Based on outputs, outcomes and/or other results, explain any significant lessons learned from these findings for either the SLAA or others in the LIS field:

Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort:
Yes: The library will continue to add pre-literacy materials to its circulating collection, but at a slower rate using funds from their own budget.
Do you anticipate any change in the project's scope:
Yes: The library will continue to offer ECRR workshops, but fewer per year.
Do you anticipate any other changes in the project:
No

Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative

Project Tags: ECRR, pre-literacy