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Libraries over the last ten years, have taken up the mantle of partnership and collaboration to support family literacy. Librarians offer outreach to daycare centers, Head Starts and other child care providers to support the needs of at–risk children and their parents.

Libraries offer several key areas of support in the following areas:

Reading Readiness/Modeling of Reading Skills
Life Long Learning Environment
Community Support and Collaboration
Parenting Programs

The State Library does not offer direct Family Literacy services. However, we do assist librarians in defining and implementing Family Literacy concepts upon request. Below you will find information on the programs we offer that are related to Family Literacy, as well as resources that may assist you in offering Family Literacy programming.

For more information on Family Literacy or funding for this type of program contact Missy Lodge, mlodge@sloma.state.oh.us 

• Helping Books Helping Families
  
• Book discussion program that can be used as a basis for parents and children to talk together about often difficult and challenging issues.
• Mother Goose Asks Why
  
• Family science program offers adults an exciting and practical approach to stimulate a young child's enthusiasm for science.
• What's the Big Idea? Math and Science Programs
  
• Family program offers adults an enjoyable method to use everyday experiences to make math come to life.
  

• Ohio Department of Education Family Literacy Information
  Includes the current Federal definition of Family Literacy, as well as a workbook.

• Ohio Ready to Read
  Partnerhip between the Ohio Library Council and the State Library of Ohio to support early learning and literacy
• OSU Extension – OHIOLINE – Building Coalitions
  Offers a series of fact sheets with practical advice for establishing coalitions.

• Brain Development
  Zero to Three offers information about how the brain develops from conception through three years of age.
• A Child Becomes a Reader: Birth to Preschool Parent Guide
  Booklet designed for caregivers which offers ideas for playing, talking and reading with preschool children.
• Early Years are Learning Years
  National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
  Includes information pieces on a variety of child development topics.

• 100 Picture Books Everyone Should Know
  A list of 100 recommended picture books.
• Literacy Begins at Home
  Tips for parents from Literacy Connections on reading to your children.
• Parenting and Child Care Information Center
  Baltimore County Public Library site that offers resources on children and reading, child care, and parenting.

Organizations

• Ohio Association for the Education of Young Children
  Statewide organization of early childhood professionals that advocates for quality care and education for young children and their families.
• Ohio Headstart Association
  Membership organization for all Head Start programs in the state which offers support for professional development through training and technical assistance for Head Start administrators, staff and parents.
• Ohio Office of Early Learning and School Readiness
  Ohio Department of Education office which offers information on funding, programs, family literacy research and tips for implementing and maintaining such programs.

• America's Literacy Directory
  Allows you to search by zip code for literacy programs in your area.
• National Center for Family Literacy
  Comprehensive background on Family Literacy programs in the United States with links to many other resources.
• National Institute for Literacy – Partnership for Reading
  Makes scientifically–based reading research accessible to educators, parents, policymakers, and other interested individuals.
• The Role of Libraries in Children's Literacy Development 
  Evaluation written by the Pennsylvania Department of Education that outlines the key role that libraries play in the development of children's literacy development.