Contributions from South Carolina businesses and residents are making it possible for the state's children to experience the joy of reading through the "Every Child Ready to Read @ Your Library" program.
Research points to a need for the program. The typical middle-class child enters first grade with 1,000-1,700 hours of one-on-one picture book reading, while a child from a low-income family averages just 25 hours, according to the Public Library Association’s Early Literacy Initiative.
Nearly 50 percent of a child’s learning for life occurs during the first four years of life. The more experiences a very young child has, the more opportunities there are to establish permanent learning pathways in the brain.
"Every Child Ready to Read @ Your Library" is providing children a pathway to literacy through research-based training. The South Carolina program illustrates simple techniques in story-based literary activities and provides training for librarians. The local libraries then offer training and programs for parents, child-care givers and teachers to help children develop important reading readiness skills.
Total program costs for South Carolina are anticipated to be $50,000. These funds provide training and materials to libraries in all 46 counties during 2006. The goal is being met through financial contributions from local individuals and companies, as well as grants from other foundations.
The program is ongoing. Kits including videos, workbooks and brochures were distributed earlier this year, and a state training session was held. More materials will be made available in the fall, and another workshop on the "Every Child Ready to Read @ Your Library" will be held Oct. 13 at the South Carolina State Library in Columbia.
The reading program is sponsored by the State Library through the Public Library Association, and is based on research from the Early Literacy Initiative. The South Carolina State Library Foundation, a volunteer-driven, 501©3 organization, has dedicated its efforts toward this statewide program. All the foundation’s board members made monetary contributions.
For additional information on the program, or to volunteer your support to this literacy program, please contact South Carolina State Library Director Patti Butcher at (803) 734-8666.
