Conference

New Orleans, LA

November 16 and 17, 2015

Literacy Matters: Strategies for Preparing Future Public Library Children’s Librarians for Exemplary Community-based Family Literacy Services

Building community connections and providing access to literacy services, particularly for underserved populations, are at the heart of the IMLS-funded grant project: Literacy Matters: Educating Librarians to Serve Families with Young Children. Guided by the precepts of the Every Child Ready to Read Program, assets-based community development, and the Association for Library Services to Children competencies, eighteen graduate students were prepared during their M.L.S. program to reach out from the library into the community. Evidence from the students’ learning outcomes demonstrates that with preparation and support preservice children’s services librarians can be equipped to serve as change agents who lead with a vision for community development and can proactively bring communities forward by serving alongside other organizations as equal partners in literacy initiatives. The project was conducted at Texas Woman’s University School of Library and Information Studies in partnership with the Texas Library Association and the Dallas Public Library. Dr. Judi Moreillon, associate professor, served as the principal investigator, and Dr. Ling hwey Jeng, professor and director, served as the co-PI. Access to project is online at: http://tinyurl.com/twulmwiki

Resources in Chronological Order as Provided in the University Classroom:

• ALSC Competencies for Librarians Serving Children in Public Libraries (2009): http://www.ala.org/alsc/edcareeers/alsccorecomps

• Leading Out Loud: A Guide for Engaging Others in Creating the Future by Terry Pearce (Jossey-Bass, 2013) and Finding Your Element: How to Discover Your Talents and Passions and Transform Your Life by Ken Robinson (Viking, 2013).

• “Developing a Passion for Public Library Early Childhood Literacy Family Programming and Services” by Dr. Judi Moreillon (Collaborate Session Fall 2013)

• Blackboard Collaborate session on “Every Child Ready to Read^®” presented by Jasmine Africawalla, Community Engagement Administrator, Dallas Public Library

• Every Child Ready for School: Helping Adults Inspire Young Children to Learn by Dorothy Stoltz, Elaine M. Czarnecki, and Connie Wilson. (ALA Editions, 2013)

• Workshop: “Integrating the Tenets of ECRR2^® into Storytime in Order to Influence the Literacy Practices of Parents and Caregivers” by Dr. Judi Moreillon and Literacy Matters Cohort Student Luz Earley, Early Childhood Specialist, Fort Worth Library, Early Childhood Matters Division Presentation available from: http://tinyurl.com/lmtlaworkshop14

• Workshop: “Asset-Based Community Development” by Dr. Ling Hwey Jeng, at 2014 Texas Library Association Annual Conference, San Antonio, Texas

• Workshop: “Identifying Community Assets” by Mary Beth Harrington, at 2014 Texas Library Association Annual Conference, San Antonio, Texas

• Blackboard Collaborate session on “Identifying Community Assets to Build Strategic Partnerships” presented by Mary Beth Harrington, July 3, 2014

Infographic #1 - Programmatic Preparation

Infographic #2 - Evidence of Learning: Course-based Work Products

Infographic #3 - Community-embedded Capstone Course