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Literacy at the Library

Librarians are first-responders in literacy.

Teach My Kid to Read partners with libraries so they can become literacy hubs for the community. That mean access to wonderful literature and books that help children practice decoding.

Teach My Kid to Read aims to ensure every child learns to read, and one of the most welcoming places to learn to read is at the library! Partnering with community libraries to spread information about the reading, and providing resources that assist parents and families in developing literacy at home, can change the trajectory for so many. 

By creating awareness and education about reading, librarians can be great influencers in the lives of children and families. 

“Really enjoyed learning more about Teach My Kid to Read yesterday. Their Roadmap to Reading presentation illustrated the many ways library staff can support early literacy especially struggling readers and their families. Community awareness and access to resources are the first steps!”

Suzanne Macaulay
Deputy Director, Pioneer Library System, Canandaigua, NY
The following is a list of actions that libraries can take to encourage proven, effective ways to learn to read:
  1. Join our Road to Decode program to learn about how we learn to read, how to set up a collection of decodable books, and access helpful information to give to parents and caretakers about literacy.
  2. Ensure signs at the library are displayed in large print, and with visuals, to be accessible to all types of readers.
  3. Set up a “Road to Reading” section at the library with displays of the alphabet, letter manipulatives, and sets of decodable books for families and caregivers to read with children.
  4. Provide information to families about how decodable books can be used systematically and sequentially in teaching all children how to read. Organize the library catalog so that it is easy to search for decodable books and evidence-based, structured literacy.
  5. Use storytime and other events at the library to highlight critical literacy skills. Bring in puppets, stuffed animals, or therapy dogs during storytime and encourage emerging readers to read aloud to these fun library visitors.
  6. Start a reading buddy program that invites authors, and other community members, to read aloud to children from a wide array of books.
  7. Provide audiobooks that build vocabulary skills and background knowledge for reading comprehension.
  8. Include graphic novels and “hi-lo” books on the stacks, which provide high-interest topics for older students reading below their grade level.
  9. Stock large-print texts to accommodate those who are emerging readers.
  10. Take advantage of celebratory months like Dyslexia Awareness month in October to promote comprehension and understanding of diverse learners, and spread awareness of how dyslexia can be detected early.

Sign up for our Road to Decode program for more ideas, tips, resources and support!

Learn more about the Road to Decode in the video below: