All Ohio public libraries offer storytime programs for young children and their parents and caregivers. Libraries that participate in Ready to Read training offer parents and childcare providers the skills to prepare young children to enter kindergarten ready to read. Here are some notable programs developed and implemented by Ohio public libraries to support the children in their communities. Please contact us to have your program included in the Ohio Spotlight.

Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County
PLSJ became a Family Place library in the year 2000. Family Place Libraries is a network of libraries nationwide which recognize that literacy begins at birth, and that libraries can help build healthy communities by nourishing healthy families. Family Place libraries redesign the library environment to be welcoming and appropriate for children beginning at birth; connect parents with the services offered at the library and other family service agencies; and reach out to non-traditional library users. This supports children's development during the critical first years of life and helps ensure all children enter school ready and able to learn.

Since becoming a Family Place Library, PLSJ has embarked on many projects with the primary goal of promoting early literacy in Jefferson County. Its latest project is called Power Up for School Success and is funded entirely through a $6,000 grant from AEP of Ohio. Power Up for School Success will help participants learn about the six early literacy skills. The workshop will incorporate the latest research about brain development and how children learn. It will also discuss the skill areas measured by the KRA-L (Kindergarten Readiness Assessment-Literacy) and ways to improve those skills.

Cleveland Public Library - On The Road To Reading
Through a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant from the State Library of Ohio, the Cleveland Public Library implemented a program called "On the Road to Reading". The library purchased a van with the six skills painted on the outside which is being used to deliver materials to early childhood centers in the Cleveland area. The van is also used for special events such as parent nights at these centers. The program is part of the Mobile Services Department and began service Labor Day, 2007. Programming based on the 6 early childhood literacy skills and is presented at selected early childhood centers. Books are left with teachers for use with children between library visits. In addition, staff visit pediatric waiting rooms to inform parents about "Every Child Ready to Read" skills and the importance of using books with children.

Kirtland Public Library is Ready to Read
Kirtland Public Library, a small library in Lake County, has taken 'Every Child Ready to Read' to heart. Children's Librarian Beth Bahr presented a program to local preschool teachers and other caregivers to help them identify the six pre-reading skills children must learn in order to learn to read. Her program was so successful that she was invited to give a presentation to some of the Early Childhood Development classes at Lakeland Community College.

Kirtland Public Library holds eight storytimes each week. Mrs. Bahr has incorporated a variety of tips and tricks into the storytimes in order to reinforce the skills with the children. She also prepares small flyers with information about the skills to distribute to caregivers. Information is posted to the library’s website as well.

Sandusky Library
Sandusky Library has expanded the storytime experience with ALA's Every Child Ready to Read Program. The relationship between the skills with which children enter school and their later academic performance is strikingly stable. Several workshops have been given to daycare providers and caregivers in our service area. Children's staff is available for advice or resources on the program. The library received funding from a Mylander Grant to develop totes for parents and caregivers. Twelve totes are divided up by ages: birth-two and three to five years. The kits contain various activities to help a parent or teacher teach the skill, - puppets, songs, books - as well as a paper explaining each essential skill.

OHIO READY TO READ is administered by the State Library of Ohio and the Ohio Library Council and is made possible, in part by Federal Library Services and Technology Act Funds, awarded to the State Library of Ohio by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Dayton Metro Library and Columbus Metropolitan Library have provided additional resources to this project.