1. Public Libraries and the Every Child Ready to Read Initiative Kendra Cutting

2.  Emergent Literacy is a skill from which all other literacy skills develop  It “is the idea that literacy, or the use of written and oral language, is a developing process that begins at birth” What is Emergent Literacy?

3.  Early Literacy is the development of six key skills: Print Motivation Phonological Awareness Vocabulary Narrative Skills Print Awareness Letter Knowledge What is Early Literacy?

4.  A program developed by the Public Library Association and the Association for Library Service to Children  First edition was released in 2004, and an updated edition was released in 2011  First and foremost a “parent education initiative”  “…Singing, Talking, Reading, Writing, and Playing.” What is Every Child Ready to Read?

5.  During the 1940’s Children’s programming was used to instill “Reading Readiness”  In the 1950’s librarians began to develop programming that included “dramatizing stories, repetition, and clapping to songs and rhythms.” “The Evolution of Early Literacy: A History of Best Practices”

6.  “Children who read, or are read to become better readers…”  “The role of the enabling adult, whether that is a parent, teacher, a librarian, or other trusted adult, in the public library or in the school library, is an important aspect of reading promotion for children…” “Solid Foundations: A Primer on the Crucial, Critical, and Key Roles of School and Public Libraries in Children’s Development”

7.  Los Angeles Public Library  San Francisco Public Library  New York Public Library  Miami-Dade Public Library  King County Public Library  Cuyahoga County Public Library  Multnomah County Public Library  Toronto Public Library  Vancouver Public Library  Calgary Public Library Early Literacy on 10 North American Public Library Websites

8. San Francisco Public Library

9. Toronto Public Library

10. Miami-Dade Public Library

11. The New York Public Library

12. The Implications of Every Child Ready to Read

13.  A further examination of the relationship between public libraries and early literacy initiatives  How do Canadian public libraries use their websites to promote early literacy skills to both parents and to children?  What is the result of using one early literacy initiative over another? Implications for Further Research

14. Questions?