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G2S Project Code: 2015-CT-75851
State: Connecticut
Fiscal Year: 2015

Grantee
PUBLIC LIBRARY OF NEW LONDON

Project Director
Director Name: Michele Belanger, Suzanne Maryeski
Director Phone: 860-447-1411
Director Email: mbelanger@plnl.org, smaryeski@plnl.org

General Information
Title: Every Child Ready to Read - Public Library of New London
State Project Code:
Start Date: 07/01/2015
End Date: 06/30/2016
Abstract: The Public Library of New London offered 15 Every Child Ready to Read workshops at 10 locations to families, caregivers, and library employees to share ways they can promote pre-literacy skills with young children before they reach school. The ECRR presentations, offered in both English and Spanish, emphasized that parents are the child’s first teacher and encouraged them to be good role models. Each presentation ended with activity stations to give participants hands-on experience and demonstrate affordable ways to turn their homes into educational zones. Also, all participants were given an "At Home Activities" sheet with activities that can be done during the day to reinforce the five practices of ECRR and an "Activity Sheet" to encourage them to keep reading to their child and visit the library. The library also purchased books and materials that reflect 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

$3,239.11

$6,239.11

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

Activities
Activity Details
Title: Every Child Ready to Read workshops
Narrative: The Public Library of New London planned to reach as many parents of young children as they could to teach them the five simple practices of Every Child Ready to Read (ECRR) to help them better prepare their children to enter kindergarten. The library held 5 ECRR workshops at the main library and 10 at community partner sites.

Because the majority of families in the community are low-income, the project director provided easy and inexpensive techniques to adapt at home. The Activity Stations that were set up at the end of each workshop were a fun and easy way to show parents how they could incorporate ECRR practices in their everyday lives. Also, all participants received an "At Home Activity" sheet to encourage parents to talk, sing, read, write and play with their children.

Since Spanish is a primary language in New London, all information, such as flyers, handouts and Activity Station signs, were made in Spanish and English in order to make ECRR accessible to everyone.

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: 12
Number of times program administered: 15

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: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
For what age groups: 0-5 years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: Yes
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No

Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: PUBLIC LIBRARY OF NEW LONDON
Address: 63 HUNTINGTON ST.
City: NEW LONDON
State: CT
Zip: 06320

Activity Details
Title: Library resources
Narrative: The library used grant funds to purchase English, Spanish, and bilingual books, including some Spanish picture books as well as book sets for use in story times. These resources became a part of the library's circulating collection and were available to all library patrons, not just ECRR participants.

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: 157
Number of electronic materials acquired: 0
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 0

Partner Information

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: PUBLIC LIBRARY OF NEW LONDON
Address: 63 HUNTINGTON ST.
City: NEW LONDON
State: CT
Zip: 06320

Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important findings or outcomes from your project:
90.32% of adults who attended the workshops said they plan on implementing some of the early literacy activities daily, 90% felt very knowledgeable about early literacy after the workshop, and 92% found the workshop very helpful. When parents were asked what they felt was the most important thing they learned the majority said: • The importance of early literacy • That promoting early literacy goes beyond reading • How to do a “picture walk” • The importance of play
Please briefly describe importance of findings:
The findings show how helpful and informative the ECRR workshops are. The survey results show that parents were reached and that a difference was made for both them and their child. Also, the data shows that whether the group was large or small parents still found the information valuable and helpful. It would be beneficial to contact parents several months after they attend the workshop to see how many parents are continuing to use the five practices they learned in the ECRR workshop.
What methods did you use to determine your findings? Check all that apply:
Survey
Other
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:
A quote from the project director: "Not only did I learn a lot of useful early literacy information but I also learned a lot about targeting parents instead of children. When doing story times I often spoke just to the children and never thought to direct any important early literacy information at parents. Since I have started presenting these workshops, I now include early literacy tips in my story times. ECRR has taught me just how important parents are in their children’s education. Parents see their children every day while libraries may only see them once a week. By teaching parents these important skills, they can continue teaching their children valuable early literacy skills at home."
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort:
Yes: The workshops will not be held as often but will continue.
Do you anticipate any change in the project's scope:
No
Do you anticipate any other changes in the project:
No

Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative

Project Tags: ECRR, pre-literacy