Why is the public library involved in early literacy?
This is a service response that has been evolving in public libraries for just under a decade now. There is a large body of scientific research available which supports the tremendous impact that enriched early language experiences have on a child’s long term school success. The public library is uniquely positioned to support the early literacy development of young children for several reasons. • Our services are available to everyone, community-wide, for free. • A number of our staff members have special training in early literacy “best practices,” and all have a great deal of experience sharing books effectively with young children. • Youth Services librarians keep abreast of developing trends and research in early literacy and brain development. • The Public Library Association (a division of the American Library Association), has been actively advising, coordinating, and supporting library-based early literacy initiatives nationwide since about 2001, and has been funding research
