EARLY LITERACY SPACESShelly Collins-FuerbringerYouth Services Manager

&Ashley Bieber

Teen Services Coordinator

L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library

RLPL & LSTA

Applied for 2012 LSTA to designate the library as an “Early Literacy Resource Center” for the community

WHAT MAKES YOU AN EARLY LITERACY RESOURCE? In our small city this was a way to enforce

our role in the community as THE place to go for early childhood and literacy resources

Conducted “educational storytimes for HeadStart, Pregnancy Help Center, temporary family housing, Early Childhood college students

Distributed “free book” coupons to targeted families

Provided city cab coupons to HeadStart, etc., for free rides to the library

Updated parenting collection

CREATING THE ENVIRONMENT

Foam-stick letters spell out 5 early literacy activities

Burgeon Group wall panels (8)

READING NOOKS & OTHER FURNITURE

DOMESTIC FURNITURE

DRESS UPFirefighterMail CarrierPolice OfficerNurse/DoctorAstronaut

TOOL BENCH

DISPLAYS

STORYKITS Storytime in a

bag/extending the story experience

Contents: 4-5 books centered around a theme, toy/manipulative,music CD, activity sheet

25 kits total – very popular

THINGS I MIGHT CHANGE#NOTQUITEPERFECT

Swivel Dress Up Station Monkey Bar PlayhouseEasel

FINAL ADVICE?

Focus on things that are adaptable

Remember that we already offer a lot of early literacy activities and spaces in the library that are fostering “early literacy”- it’s just explaining it to parents that helps them understand play and be more involved

OUR STORY Debuted Play and Learn November 2011

Inspiration came from Ridgedale Public Library

Funding comes from the Friends of the Library

PLAY AND LEARN

• Our goal is to make a fun place where kids and parents want to play and learn – TOGETHER.

TOY BINS

• Vehicles• Duplos• Blocks• Animals• Magnetic gears• Balls• Train track

MAGNET BOARD

ACTIVITY COUNTER

FAVORITE THINGS(We love spray paint!)

PLAY AND LEARN MARKET

Market stall is very versatile Market ad

PLAY AND LEARN CAFE

Kitchen = most popular Shape soup with recipe cards

SUMMER ‘12 - BEACH

Surf Shack + Crabby Cabana Where is my snorkel?

DISCOVERY LAB

The stall becomes a science lab Scientists go fishing, too!

COMMUNITY

Community helper dress up Play and Learn school

SUMMER ‘13 - SPACE

UFFO Reading pad Astronauts galore!

THE ARTS

Putting on a show Yes – musical instruments!

TIPSOr, things I wish I had known right away…

Get on mailing lists so you know when discounts and free shipping are offered

Ask your staff for donations.

FIND VOLUNTEERS

STORAGE – DO YOU HAVE IT?

My office turned storage area Make friends with the custodian

ALPHABET SEARCH AND FIND

SONG MENU

ON THE WALLS

COUNTERTOP ACTIVITIES

MISCELLANEOUS FUN

FINAL ADVICE Check Pinterest for ideas: Eau

Claire Public Library Play and Learn

Have fun!