The purpose of the SWLS 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program is to increase school readiness by introducing children to as many books as possible, read aloud by a parent,sibling, or other caregiver in order that the child will learn letter knowledge and that letters make up words, as well as other essential early literacy skills.  This initiative will also offer the opportunity for library staff to model to parents and caregivers how to read a book to a child.  Furthermore,this project complements the Growing Wisconsin Readers initiative with its goals of providing resources to caregivers about how to read effectively to young children and showcasing ways in which public libraries support early literacy.

The Southwest Wisconsin Library System offered a training workshop for librarians on the topic of early literacy, 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten implementation, passive programming and DIY (Do it Yourself)program ideas for the youngest patron. Staff at participating libraries purchased picture books and level 1 readers to aid in providing further resources for participating families and children and to aid in book and craft related activities associated with DIY programs to reinforce early literacy.

The project administrator provided a list of literacy grant opportunities to participating libraries so that they had options for funding sources to sustain the program.  This list has been included on the early literacy blog. Library staff will continue to register children with the goal of reaching 1,000 children system-wide in the program. 

The Southwest WisconsinLibrary System offered a training workshop for librarians on the topic of earlyliteracy, 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten implementation, passive programmingand DIY (Do it Yourself) program ideas for the youngest patron.  The project administrator scheduled theworkshop and contracted with presenter Marge Loch-Wouters, Youth Services Managerat the LaCrosse Public Library, The training workshop was presented on Monday,April 27, 2015. The project administrator developed a survey to measureeffectiveness of workshop content.

Twenty-one library staff from SWLS memberlibraries attended.  Evaluations wereoverwhelmingly positive with participants stating the content of the workshopwas useful and beneficial in implementing the program.

The project administrator andSWLS staff purchased book bags and books and distributed them to participatinglibraries, which in turn distributed them to children as they completedmilestones in the 1,000 Books program.

Reading logs were distributed to participantsthrough working with partners and through library programs.

The number of children registered per libraryand through partners. 

Blanchardville - 23

Boscobel - 20

Cobb - 15

Gays Mills - 4

Mineral Point - 98

Prairie du Chien - 67

Barneveld partnered with theBarneveld Public School Four-Year-Old Kindergarten. The schools were involvedin implementing the Family Reading Night. Barneveld – 21

Blanchardville partnered withthree local daycares, the Blanchardville Branch of the Monroe Clinic, the localLutheran Church, and the 4-K teachers at the Pecatonica Area Schools. Thepartners distributed a letter prepared by the library director, as well as theinformation bookmark developed through the grant. Partners encouragedparticipation through visits to the public library.

Boscobel partnered with HeadStart and the Boscobel Schools 4-K program. Library staff developed a newpartnership with the In the Beginning Daycare. Youth services staff visitedpartnering agencies to promote the program and staff also provided storytimesat the daycares.

Cobb partnered with KidsKingdom Day Care. The children enrolled in the daycare visited the public libraryfor weekly storytimes.

Gays Mills partnered with thearea WIC program and the Seneca Schools 4-K program. Partners distributed theinformation bookmark developed through the grant. The partnership with the WICprogram will be further developed in 2016 with the library director attendingWIC programs, which will provide increased opportunity to speak with parentsregarding the importance of reading to young children.

Mineral Point partnered withthe Mineral Point Schools Early Childhood classes, which were a newpartnership. The library also partnered with a local private school, the localclinic, and shared information with their storytime attendees.

Prairie du Chien partneredwith the BA Kennedy School 4-K program by participating in the schools FamilyFun Night. The public library had a booth at the event, distributedinformation, and registered children for the program. The library alsopartnered with the Family Resource Center by sharing information with parents.

Number of programs planned will be counted – 29 programs were presented. Eleven of these programs were outreach programs presented at partnering agencies.

Barneveld – Three storytimes were presented with a total attendance of 46. An early literacy workshop, Family Reading Night, was also presented – attendance 90. Passive programs – A DIY station was established in the children’s area during the summer months with a drawing/writing prompt (What would your superhero power be? What is your dreampet?) Participation estimate – 113.

Blanchardville – Six outreach story/craft programs were presented at the village park shelter and the American Legion building with a total attendance of 42. Passive programs – 8 DIY craft stations were set-up in the library - story cards, fingerpaint-fingerprint trees, stamp pad art, pony bead bracelets and seasonal themes – participation estimate – 32.

Boscobel – Four story/craft programs were presented, two at the library and two outreach programs, with a total attendance of 60. Passive programs – a DIY station was established in the children’s room starting November 16 featuring books and busy bags, activity bags created on an early literacy theme – patterns, numbers, letters, colors,etc. Participation estimate – 40.

Cobb – Six story/craft programs were presented at the library with a total attendance of 60. Passive programs – 3 DIY stations were established, designing a 1,000 Books before Kindergarten notebook/folder, creating paper chains, and a coloring activity.Participation estimate – 10.

Gays Mills – Two storytimes were presented at the library with a total attendance of 10.

Mineral Point – A storytime 1,000 books kickoff was presented with a total attendance of 35. Two outreach programs were presented at Miss Jules Preschool with 23 in attendance and at the Mineral Point School Early Childhood with 45 in attendance. Passive programs – Photos of children who reached their first 100 book goal were taken and posted. Each time the kids met the next goal their photos were moved to the next goal reached and were presented with an animal sticker.

Prairie du Chien – The 1,000 books kickoff was held at the summer program final program. Thirteen participants were registered. An outreach program was held in conjunction with the

BA Kennedy 4-K Family Fun Night Information about the 1,000 books program was presented to more than 30 families.