The importance of early childhood education was underscored by President Obama in his most recent State of the Union address: "Study after study shows that the sooner a child begins learning, the better he or she does down the road." Join us to hear Susan Hildreth, director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, present on a recent report, Growing Young Minds, developed with the Campaign for Grade-level Reading, that highlights the role of libraries in early learning. The report also offers a plan of action for policy makers to build on current research and include libraries in early learning strategies. Attendees will learn about best practices for enhancing reading programs and how to participate in your community’s efforts to address literacy concerns. In addition, Lee Rainie, director of the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project, will describe the Project’s newly released report about the special role that libraries play in the life of families with children. Attendees will learn what matters to parents about their library experiences with their children, and how library programs and outreach can address those needs.

Presented by: Susan Hildreth, director, Institute of Museum and Library Services, and Lee Rainie, director, Pew Research Center Internet & American Life Project.

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• View Webinar Recording (You will be prompted to log in to our free Course Catalog.)

Webinar Attachments

• View Slides (pdf)
• View Chat (xls)

Related Resources and Links

• Early Learning page on IMLS
  • Growing Young Minds Full Report and Executive Summary (pdf)
  • Talking Points: Growing Young Minds (doc)
• Visit IMLS for more information on grants and programs
• Pew Report: Parents, Children, Libraries, and Reading
• Pew Internet and other recent Pew research on libraries and patrons:
  • Younger Americans’ Library Habits and Expectations, June 2013
    
  • Library Services in the Digital Age, January 2013
  • Mobile Connections to Libraries, December 2012
  • E-book Reading Jumps; Print Book Reading Declines, December 2012
  • Reading Habits in Different Communities, December 2012
  • Younger Americans’ Reading and Library Habits, October 2012
  • Libraries, patrons, and e-books, June 2012
• Early Literacy Resources:
  • Every Child Ready to Read @ Your Library
  • ALSC Social Networks (including listservs) and Early Literacy category on their blog.
• Shared in chat:
  
  • Ann Arbor District Library Summer Game https://aadl.org/play
    
  • PA One Book, Every Young Child https://paonebook.powerlibrary.org/