A Framework For Action What Libraries Can Do to Improve Early LiteracyPage 6Oregon Statewide Early Literacy InitiativeLibraries serve an important role in promoting early literacy skills in babies, toddlers, and preschool children. Already, libraries promote these skills through access to books, storytimes, parenting information, knowledgeable staff, and much more. Below are several concrete ways you can encourage children, parents, and caregivers to develop reading and language proficiency in four different areas: Early Literacy Materials/Collections, Atmosphere/Childrens Environments, Programming, and Training & Staff Development.Some libraries may have more defined early literacy programs than others. You may be starting a program (First Steps) or be improving an already great program (Giant Steps). Check off the activities that youre already doing. Even if you dont have an early literacy program, you may be surprised by how much youre already doing to prepare children to read in all three areas. And even if youve been working with early literacy for a long time, you may find ideas in First, Next, or Giant Steps that may help you enhance your activities. Regardless as to where youre at in your program, we hope that this document inspires you to further help the children in your communities.Input: Early Literacy Materials/CollectionsTo ensure that all libraries have high quality and adequate quantity of materials that support early literacyFirst StepsNext StepsGiant Stepsq Have collections of materials for children ages 0-5q Board books, toddler books, picture booksq Make these collections easy to findq CDs, DVDsq Have materials for parents and caregivers including books, parenting magazines, and videosq Buy more picture books and board booksq Have collections of materials for parents and caregiversq Have handouts for parents and caregiversq Brochures, booklists, and booklets of childrens rhymesq Bookmarks, brochures, and booklistsq Start with Public Library Association website (www.pla.org) and the Department of Education literacy site (www.ed.gov) for free booklets and downloadsq Offer picture books and board books in languages other than Englishq Circulate tubs of books to early education sites and child care facilitiesq Circulate toys (like puppets, puzzles, etc.)q Create simple theme kits, bags, totes, etc. (Something simple, like one book, one cassette, and one puppet)q Create more detailed Theme Bagsq Create and circulate bags for parents and caregivers of babiesq Offer more picture books and board books in more languages other than Englishq Offer resources for parents and caregivers in languages other than Englishq Provide resources and materials for parents and caregivers about early literacy q Create Baby Bags (not themed) for children from birth to 18 months, including resources for parents in languages other than Englishq Create Preschool Theme Bags in languages other than Englishq Create an early literacy website for parents and caregivers with information about early literacy research and brain development, activities to foster literacy development, booklists, and childrens rhymes q Circulate tubs of books to early education sites and child care facilitiesq Create DVD or VHS of best ways for adults to share books with childrenq Create “Crayons” of activities that foster early literacy skill development for parentsq Find funding for a Parenting Collection in every libraryInput: Atmosphere/Childrens EnvironmentsTo ensure that all libraries offer welcoming environments that support early literacyFirst StepsNext StepsGiant Stepsq Greet children with a smileq Welcome parents and caregivers who come into the library with babiesq Create a child-friendly and attractive area for kidsq Offer play things: stuffed animals, play things (puzzles, a doll house, puppets), pillows, and carpeted spot for children to sitq Post “Staff Picks of the week” to feature titles of interest to young childrenq Have child-sized furniture and parent/child furnitureq Offer a family bathroom with diaper changing facilitiesq Provide interactive activities at the childs eye level (like a magnet board with letters or busy beads)q Have a puppet theatre for dramatic play or a box for imaginary playq Visit another library, childrens museum, or accredited child care for inspirationq Create a writing area and materials for children; display their work q Create an Early Literacy Committee composed of staff to inspire and motivate staff to incorporate the latest research into their storytimesInput: ProgrammingTo ensure that all libraries provide high quality early literacy programsFirst StepsNext StepsGiant Stepsq Offer storytimes for preschoolersq Offer the Statewide Summer Reading Program with “Read To Me” componentq Add a preschoolers component to your Summer Reading P